NAVENERANATH Ragnandan called “RZ”, a construction worker at Bushlot Farm died on New Year’s Eve after he was struck down by a speeding motorcar not far from where he lived.He had reportedly left his home to check out a few friends and was expected to return later to be with his wife and break the new year together.

According to reports, the accident reportedly occurred around 19:30hrs when a silver grey Toyota wagon bearing license plate PSS 9776 and allegedly driven by a police officer attached to the Number 51 Police Station slammed into him.

He was at the time attempting to cross the Bushlot Farm Public Road.

Reports say that his body was flung several metres in the air before landing next to a roadside drain. The car reportedly stopped approximately 200 metres away from the point of impact in front of a popular bar and grocery store.

Eyewitnesses say moments before being struck down, Ragnandan was speaking to one Harrilall Latchman called “Buddy” who had left to tie his donkey.

“All me hear was balm and see RZ fling in the air and land next to a drain, the wagon nah draw brakes. It sway because of the speed eh bin a guh wid and it cut off by Kandan shop. When me run out and check pun RZ he just take one breath and he dead.”

The police arrived on the scene shortly after and Ragnandan’s body was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Wife of the deceased Diwantie Bissamber called “Kim” said her husband was the main breadwinner of the family and she is calling on the public for assistance to inter him since she does not have the means to do so.

“Me lose me first husband in 2005 and me 14-year-old daughter in 2014 to suicide and all me lil savings me had spend out then. Me and me husband are poor and we does get by with whatever little we get from me farming and he work but me need help fuh bury am.”

The distraught woman said she was home when she heard the impact but did not know it was her husband.

“My sister-in-law them start run out a little after to the road and them tell me nah go so I ask them why them nah want me go then one lil boy come tell me my husband get knock down.”

She told this publication that she left for the scene but was stopped short by other family members but she later identified the lifeless body of her husband on a stretcher at the Port Mourant Hospital.

“We had a good life together, before he lef to go road, he help me cook and clean and we did plan to celebrate the new year together.”

According to Bissamber, the post-mortem is scheduled for today after which the body will be handed over to the family for funeral arrangements.

RZ is survived by his wife and two children, a nine-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter. Police sources have confirmed that the driver is in police custody assisting with investigations.