POLICE have launched an investigation into an accident that claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman in the early hours of Friday, June 20, on the No. 7 Public Road, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The deceased has been identified as Stacy Walton of Alexander Street, New Amsterdam. She was driving motor car #PAG 2279, which is owned by Alfred De Jonge of New Amsterdam.

According to the police, preliminary enquiries revealed that Walton had been drinking before getting behind the wheel. “The driver of the car was imbibing earlier in the evening,” the police statement said.  She later proceeded west along the southern drive lane of the No. 7 Public Road.

While driving, Walton reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which careened off the road and ended up in a trench on the southern side. The police confirmed that she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The submerged car was later spotted by public-spirited citizens who pulled the unconscious driver from the vehicle and rushed her to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. However, Walton was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

Her body has since been taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. The police said investigations are ongoing.