A MAHAICA family attending a wedding reception at Bath Settlement on Saturday evening was plunged into mourning when the father of the household was struck dead by a speeding lorry outside the wedding house. Dead is 44-year-old Benjamin, also known as ‘Pickle’, owner of a popular grocery store at Supply, Mahaica.  Pickle, a father of two daughters in their 20s,  was also the bride’s uncle-in-law, his wife being her aunt.
According to persons at the wedding, shortly after 22:00 hrs Benjamin stepped out of the wedding house ‘to get breeze’ and was standing at the side of the road when he was struck down by the motor vehicle.   On hearing the loud impact, relatives and others at the wedding rushed outside to enquire, only to learn that it was the bride’s uncle-in-law who was struck down.  He bled profusely witnesses said, and appeared to be already dead as his body lay on the roadside.
His wife and daughters were inconsolable on realising what had happened.  He was transported to the Mahaicony Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to the police, the driver of motor lorry GJJ 7722 was proceeding along the roadway at a fast rate when he lost control of the vehicle and struck down  Benjamin after colliding with two parked motor cars.
The driver of the motor lorry has been arrested and yesterday remained in police custody, assisting with the investigations.