A DRIVER, suspected to be behind a fatal hit-and-run accident at #76 Public Road, East Berbice-Corentyne on Saturday afternoon, was, on Sunday morning, arrested at Line Path by ranks attached to the Springlands Police Station.

The suspect was arrested after he took the car, a grey Toyota Premio, with registration number HC 9684, to an auto body workshop late Saturday evening.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Police ranks have been keeping tabs at several auto body shops following the hit-and-run accident at around 15:30 hrs on Saturday afternoon.

In that incident, 27-year-old Premchand Harripaul of Lot 62 Section A #69 village, East Berbice, Corentyne, was struck down and flung on the road shoulders next to some bushes. Harripaul was found motionless on his back by passersby. He reportedly had blood coming from his ears, mouth and a wound on his neck.

Eyewitnesses related that they heard an impact but when they came out they did not see anything. It was not until a few moments later that someone passed the area where Harripaul was found lying and raised an alarm; it was then they became aware he was struck down.

The police and relatives subsequently arrived and took the lifeless body to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At the scene, police were able to recover pieces of glass from a headlight a short distance from where the body was and that led them to be on the alert for a vehicle.

The police, keeping a watchful eye on several auto body workshops, were informed that a car with a broken headlight and a shattered front windshield was taken to a known workshop at around 21:30hrs on Saturday evening.

Following checks, the police swooped down early on Sunday morning at the home of the driver and arrested him. He was taken to the Springlands Police Station where he remains in custody assisting with investigations.

Meanwhile, Harripaul, called ‘Ducky’ was well known in the Upper Corentyne area as he is often the lad that does odd jobs for many. He was unemployed due to an illness that prevented him from working but would run errands for many. He was described by many as a very honest and helpful individual who will be missed thoroughly.