POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 18:30hrs on Tuesday on the Stewartville Public Road, West Coast Demerara, which resulted in the death of pedestrian, Vanessa Forde, 33, of Stewartville.According to investigations, the driver of a motorcar was proceeding along the roadway when he allegedly swerved to avoid a pedal cyclist who had ridden across the road and he struck down the pedestrian.

Forde was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

However, the driver fled the accident scene but was later arrested. He remains in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, at about 20:45 hrs on Tuesday, businessman Joseph Phoenix, 39, of Craig, East Bank Demerara, was confronted in his shop by four men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, and who had entered the business premises on the pretext of purchasing water.

Phoenix resisted and was shot to his left shoulder and also sustained a grazed wound to his jaw, following which the men escaped. He was treated at the GPHC and sent away. (Michel Outridge)