TRAGEDY struck a family on Friday when a fatal accident claimed the lives of 59-year-old Carl Hunte, a former footballer, and his nine-year-old grandson, Malique Roberts. The accident occurred at approximately 17:25 hours in the vicinity of Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The accident involved a lorry with registration number GAH 1532, driven by 26-year-old Sawdeo Persaud from Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and a motor car with trade plate BMS 4, driven by Hunte.

Alongside Roberts, two other children, aged 12 and 10, were in the car. According to initial police investigations, the lorry was travelling north on the western side of the highway when Persaud noticed the car speeding south on the eastern side.
As the car approached, it allegedly lost control, veering into the lorry’s path. Despite Persaud’s attempt to swerve westward to avoid a collision, the car collided with the right side of the lorry, causing it to topple multiple times before coming to a halt on the eastern side of the road.

Public-spirited citizens quickly intervened, rescuing the injured occupants from the wreckage. They were transported to the Linden Hospital Complex, where Hunte and Roberts were pronounced dead. The 10-year-old was treated and subsequently released, while the 12-year-old was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
There, she was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Unit for further observation, and her condition is currently stable. A notice of intended prosecution has been issued to the lorry driver, who remains in police custody as investigations continue.