A DRIVER, who was allegedly drunk and travelling above the speed limit, collided with a food stall before damaging a gatepost, a gate and the dining area of a Chinese restaurant, after he failed to stop at the five corner junction at East Canje in Berbice.

The incident which occurred at about 17:40hrs on Monday resulted after the driver failed to stop at the eastern intersection. Instead, eyewitnesses said, the motorist accelerated toward the western lane, where he collided with a food stall, but not before pedestrians in the area ran for safety.

The out-of-control car then crashed into the metal gatepost and the northern wall of the restaurant before colliding into tables and chairs, wreaking widespread damage.
Meanwhile, the alleged driver, Chetram Ramkissoon, of East Bank Berbice was soon arrested, and taken into police custody.
Sources said the suspect denied that he was behind the wheel. Instead, he claimed that he had parked his car to make a purchase when someone drove it away.

SUPERBIKE CRASH
However, this is not the first instance that a vehicle has crashed into the Chinese restaurant. On September 13, 2012, Jarvis De Freitas called ‘Jarvy’ of 5 Strand, New Amsterdam, and of Theatre Alley, N/A, died after his Yamaha superbike crashed into the restaurant while he was drag racing with another biker.
The 28-year-old father of one was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident at around 01:00hr. De Freitas was employed as a seaman with the Branken Towing and Salvaging Company (BTS).
According to information, De Freitas and some friends were drinking at a beer garden at Cumberland, East Canje when they decided to indulge in drag racing. The men took off at a terrific speed and De Freitas was unable to properly negotiate the double-crossing Canje turn. His bike was propelled between two utility posts, then over a drain, before crashing through a fence and ripping a wooden shed before coming to rest at the back of the Chinese Restaurant. The mangled remains of De Freitas was found nearby. However he was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.