A MINIBUS driver is now in police custody assisting with investigations after he allegedly struck dead 67-year-old pedal cyclist Roy Mendonca yesterday morning on Carifesta Avenue.

Chronicle has been informed that the driver of the minibus hit the cyclist while trying to overtake another vehicle. The pensioner was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Speaking with this newspaper at her lot 218 Forshaw Street, Queenstown residence yesterday afternoon, the dead man’s wife Maureen Marks said that her husband was killed while on one of his regular fitness training rides.
The woman said that each morning she and her husband would ride from their Queenstown home to the National Park for an early morning workout. She explained that normally she is a slower rider than her husband and she would leave before him and he would catch up with her.
However, yesterday her husband left before her and rather than riding along Thomas Road he used Irving Street and turned onto Carifesta Avenue. She said that she used Thomas Road and reached the National Park before him.
The wife said that at the park she kept waiting for her husband at their usual spot but he did not show. She then decided to call his cell phone and when it was answered, a police officer broke the tragic news to her.
The minibus, licence plate BNN 6492, has been detained while the driver remains in custody.
The widow related that her husband loved cycling and only last week he was awarded for being the top ‘over 60s’ rider.
After the man was struck by the minibus he was placed in another vehicle and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The man leaves to mourn his wife and one child. The two have been married for 14 years now.

(By Leroy Smith)