Berbice fishermen killed in hit and run
…getaway driver nabbed following chase
A high speed car chase this morning, led by an off-duty police officer and public spirited citizens, resulted in the detention of the driver involved in a hit and run accident which left a Berbice father of two dead.
The dead man has been identified as Stanley Broone called ‘Kishan’, 33 of Number 11 village, East Berbice. He was at the time waiting to cross the road at around 10:45 hrs when he was struck down by a Toyota Allion motorcar bearing registration number PTT 8022.
The man began crossing the road from North to South and the driver alleged that he swerved a avoid a collision; in doing so the right front of the vehicle collided with the pedestrian. As a result of the impact, the pedestrian fell onto the front windscreen and onto the road surface.
An eyewitness disputed the police report.He told the Guyana Chronicle that Bronne was on the southern side of the road waiting to cross over to the northern side where he lives, when he was struck. He further stated that no vehicle was parked on that side of the road at the time of the accident.
Another eyewitness,Quacy Paul, related that he was sitting under a house with some friends when he heard a loud impact and he later saw a car dragging something for almost 200 feet. He said the vehicle continued moving and he heard shouts from the shop that his friend Stanley, who left moments ago to purchase something for them, was struck down.
“After me hear the knock I watch up and see the car dragging something, same time them man from the other over start holler that Stanley get knock down. So me rush out and after me realize the car man just slow down and start speed off again, I flag down a car and tell the driver to drive after the car,” Paul related.
It so happened that the car that he stopped was being driven by an off-duty police officer who made contact with the Berbice Bridge Company to be on alert for the car. However, when they swung the Palmyra turn close to the bridge, the car passed the bridges’ entrance and continued along to New Amsterdam.
Paul said that as they reached Number 2 village, East Canje, several miles away, a red Toyota Fielder wagon overtook their car and the car being chased and stopped in front of the latter, blocking it from moving forward. The police pulled up behind, blocking the rear and the driver was apprehended after traffic ranks arrived.
Meanwhile, at the scene the injured Broone, a father of a seven-month old infant and a year and a half old toddler, was picked up in bloodied state and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short while later.
He was a fisherman by trade and was not home often except on holidays and a few other days during the week.
When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, the village was in an uproar as moments before, the police left with the driver who was taken back to the scene. He claimed he was forced to drive away because he was being chased by cutlass-wielding residents.
“We want justice for my son, he has two little babies left and now the driver like he got some connections because he show up with the police without handcuffs and said them boys chase he with cutlass. Is Lie! Bare lies! He nah stop, he just hit down me son and drive away, he nah even stop to see what he hit if is a dog, cat or wah and he drive away was bare speed,” screamed Tejkumarie Broone, the mother of the victim.
Police markings on the road indicated the victim was stuck in the corner of the road and residents and friends maintained that he was not drunk as they were moments earlier preparing to have a drink.
Broone leaves to mourn his 24 year old wife, two children, his parents and his two younger siblings. The driver of the vehicle,who hails from Block X Diamond,Housing Scheme,East Bank Demerara, remains in police custody.
A breathalyzer test was conducted and no alcohol was detected in his system.