By Michel Outridge

TEN-YEAR-OLD Davin Sealey of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, who at about 21:00 hours on Sunday went in search of his father who was at a relative’s house, was mowed down by the reportedly speeding vehicle of an allegedly drunken policeman while on the village public road.A police release said investigations have thus far revealed that Sealey was riding a bicycle along the roadway when he was struck down by the motor vehicle driven by a police constable who was later found to be over the limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol.

After hitting the child, the vehicle collided with a parked vehicle and turned turtle.

Davin was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), while the driver received injuries and has been admitted to hospital.

Deon Sealey, father of the late Davin, said that at sometime after 20:00 hrs on Sunday, he left to go a relative’s home, a short distance away, and his son left home on a bicycle to go look for him when the accident occurred at Post Office Street, Sisters Village.

Deon Sealey told Guyana Chronicle he was at his brother’s house, located about two lots from the scene of the accident.

“I saw a vehicle coming at a fast rate of speed, after which it collided with a parked car and then it toppled twice before coming to a stop; but I did not know it was my son it struck,” the father said.

Deon Sealey added that when he went to the scene, he realised it was his son, and the boy appeared lifeless; his limbs were broken and he was bleeding. The grieving father said he ran home for his wife, and a neighbour took them to the hospital, where the child was pronounced dead on arrival.

The drunk driver was picked up at the scene and taken to the hospital for medical attention. He allegedly was so intoxicated that he had to be assisted out of his car.

A post-mortem is expected to be performed on Davin on Wednesday.

The child’s mother, Tealica Thomas, was inconsolable on Monday when Guyana Chronicle visited her home. She was wailing loudly and had to be comforted by relatives who had gathered at their Lot 34 Sisters Village home.

Davin was the eldest child of five siblings, and had been a pupil of Patentia Primary School.

The lad’s grandfather, Titus Thomas, 57, told Guyana Chronicle that the family needs justice. He pointed out that no policeman should be speeding, much less driving under the influence and causing death. He contended that lawlessness on the roadway has been taken to a new low, and said the way the police deal with these matters leaves much to be desired.

When the family went to the Wales Police Station to report the accident, they were reportedly chased out of the building by an officer, and had to make their way home through the rain.

Acting Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud told Guyana Chronicle that, this year, the Traffic Department recorded 50 road accidents with 54 deaths. Of that total, four were children.

During the corresponding period last year, there were 31 road accidents with 40 deaths, nine of which were children.

The acting Traffic Chief has said that road safety is everybody’s business, and apart from traffic enforcement and education campaigns, everyone has to play a role in promoting vigilance.

He noted that in almost all the weekend fatalities, speeding and drunk driving, coupled with inattentiveness, were the leading contributors.

Persaud is of the view that the fine for drunk driving is too minimal, as too many persons continue to drink and drive.