DANGEROUS driving was declared the culprit in a two-vehicle smash-up which occurred yesterday at approximately 09:00hrs at the Ruimveldt Industrial Site, in Greater Georgetown. Toyota Carina motor car PJJ5798, which was travelling south, collided with Toyota IST PPP4926, which was attempting to head out of an alleyway onto the public road.
Royston Murray, driver of the IST, spoke with this publication. He claimed that he was about to turn out of the alleyway when, out of nowhere, the other car came careening wildly and collided with the driver’s side of his vehicle.
The impact, he said, sent him “skidding” into the corner of the road, where an abandoned log did further damage to his car.
Another eyewitness, who spoke with this publication without disclosing his name, gave a similar story. He added that beer bottles were found in the Carina, the front of which was badly damaged.
The driver of the Carina, however, suffered minor injuries, and was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was therefore unavailable for comment.
Asked about the beer bottles found in the car, a traffic rank said the driver of the Carina informed him that the bottles had been in that car for quite some time. This was, however, questioned by Mr. Murray, who begged to differ.
He claimed that, when the collision occurred and he rushed out of his vehicle to confront the other driver, the man was hastening to hide away something, despite his injuries. Later investigation proved the hidden away something to be the beer bottles.
The police officer, however, revealed that a breathalyser test performed on both drivers indicated that neither man was under the influence of alcohol.
Murray disclosed that although he is a citizen of the United States, he has a permit to drive in Guyana; this incident will, however, hamper his travelling around, and he has to leave the country in a few days.
There was absolutely no negotiation between the men to arrive at a settlement in relation to the accident.
The eyewitness and Mr. Murray were eventually both escorted to the Ruimveldt Police Station for further investigation of the matter.