AS family members continue to mourn the loss of the young couple who lost their lives on Monday night in Linden, following a motorcycle – motor vehicle smash up, the driver of the sports wrangler PSS 8812, remains in custody assisting with investigations.

According to a police report, the driver, 39-year-old Dane Ault of Montgomery Oval Richmond Hill, Linden, was proceeding west, when he suddenly made a right turn north into the path of the motorcycle, which was proceeding in the opposite direction.

The deceased, 23-year-old O’Neil DeYounge of Lot 78 Cinderella City, Mackenzie Linden, and his fiancée, who was the pillion rider, 21- year-old Sheshika Ettienne of South Amelia’s Ward Linden, were proceeding west along the southern side of the Amelia’s Ward Public Road. The driver of the motorcycle, upon being faced with the sudden action taken by Ault, applied brakes and lost control of his motorcycle. He fell onto the roadway and slid under the jeep. DeYounge was, at the time, taking his girlfriend home. One eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle that DeYounge had the ‘right-of-away’ and Ault had the responsibility to slow down and ensure all incoming traffic is clear before turning into Powis Crescent.
Reports are that Ettienne’s legs were broken and her mouth was badly disfigured.

DeYounge was bleeding profusely from his head. While Etienne was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical doctor, DeYounge was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, after a faint pulse was found. He was however pronounced dead shortly after.

YOUNG LIVES SNATCHED
The deaths of the young couple plunged the entire community of Linden into mourning, more so, that Ettienne’s death came as a double tragedy to her family. Her grandfather was only laid to rest on Sunday last. The young couple recently got engaged and were planning to get married soon. One family friend of DeYounge, Shonnette Seaforth,

described him as a very ambitious young man, who was hot in love. DeYounge was at time taking Ettienne home from work. She had just finished the night shift at the Linden Hospital Complex, where she was a Registered Nurse. “Most days, depending on how he working, he would drop her home,” Seaforth said. “He had loved her very much, (they were) always together and he had bright plans for her.” DeYounge was a hearse driver at the Bauxite Pensioners’ Association.

Meanwhile at Ettienne’s home, family members were still in shock and many were too distraught to speak. Her father, Deon Ettienne, was being consoled by relatives at the time this newspaper visited. He said that he is trusting God that all will be well with his family during this time of grief.

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROAD WAY
The Powis Crescent junction and the Amelia’s Ward Hill have been the scenes of many fatal accidents over the years. Commander of ‘E’ Division Linden Lord, is encouraging drivers to practise the Five C’s when using the thoroughfare, especially at nights and are encouraging motorcyclist to be properly fitted when using the road. Neither DeYounge, nor Ettienne, was wearing helmets on Monday evening. The bodies are at the Pensioners’ Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.