A smash-up on Tuesday morning at the intersection of Sheriff and Dennis Streets, Georgetown has claimed the life of a pedestrian and several others nursing bodily injuries. The incident, which occurred at approximately 6:50h, involved multiple vehicles, including two motor lorries and six cars, resulting in extensive property damage.
The dead man has been identified as 42-year-old Carlton Smartt, an electrical contractor at Garnett Street, Newtown Kitty, Georgetown.
Based on reports received stated that a motor lorry bearing registration number GAH 5183 driven by a resident of Belfield Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was driving at a fast rate along Dennis Street and as he approached the intersection at Sheriff Street, he failed to heed a stop sign thus coming into the path of another motor lorry GAH 8008, which was proceeding along Sheriff Street, also at a high rate of speed.
As a result of the collision, both drivers lost control of their vehicles. One of them ended up in a building along Sherriff Street while the other struck down Smartt who was at the time jogging in the area.
As a result of the impact, he fell onto the roadway and his body became trapped under the rear left wheel of the lorry. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. In addition, the motor lorries came into contact with several other vehicles.
The police were alerted to the scene at 7:00h, and a team of officers responded promptly. They contacted the involved drivers and owners, took measurements, and collected statements. A notice of intended prosecution was served to the respective drivers.
In addition, an ambulance arrived, and Smartt’s body was examined and transported to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary. The drivers of the two lorries sustained injuries and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where they were treated.
One of them was discharged while the other remained hospitalised. Breathalyser tests conducted by both of them found no traces of alcohol in their systems.
All involved vehicles were inspected by a Licensing and Certifying Officer, and defect sheets were issued for the respective drivers. CCTV footage from nearby cameras is being reviewed, and further investigations are ongoing.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and extending condolences to the family of the deceased. The Minister also wished a swift recovery for the injured parties. He stressed that the accident highlights the critical need for stricter compliance with road safety regulations.
He outlined key violations that contributed to the crash, including excessive speeding, failure to comply with traffic signs, overloaded vehicles, improper lane usage, and failure to yield to pedestrians. He called on all road users, especially heavy vehicle operators, to exercise greater caution and adhere to traffic laws.
The accident occurred during National Road Safety Month, reinforcing the importance of safe driving practices. The Minister’s statement echoed calls for better traffic enforcement and public awareness. He urged drivers to respect speed limits, obey traffic signals, and prioritise the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
In addition, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in a statement noted that it has grown increasingly concerned about the growing number of road fatalities as a result of reckless usage of the country’s roadways, and is urging the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to implement stronger enforcement of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
Furthermore, the Chamber is calling on the Government of Guyana to revise the system of penalties to implement stricter consequences for breach of traffic laws.
The country continues to be plagued with daily reports of road fatalities, and thus far in the year, there have been 117 deaths as a result of these road accidents.
“This loss of life cannot be allowed to continue unabated while Guyana loses its valued citizens. It is therefore crucial that the Guyana Police Force implements a robust education and awareness, and monitoring campaign to ensure that road users operate within the ambit of the law. The State, too, must not turn a blind eye to this issue which has become an epidemic—timely and measured action is needed with great urgency particularly as it relates to legislating stricter penalties against errant road users,” GCCI stated.
Beyond the implementation and enforcement of traffic laws, the GCCI is calling on members of the public to utilise the roadways safely and responsibly. “Speeding and disregard for traffic laws must not be tolerated, and failure to admonish these behaviours when we witness them may be regarded as complicity in lawlessness,” the body stated.
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