A TRAGIC accident along the Pirara Trail Road in Central Lethem, Region Nine, has claimed the lives of a young family of three, leaving the Rupununi community in shock and mourning.

Dead are 23-year-old motorcyclist Jagnarine Stephen, his 24-year-old wife, Kyrea Stephen, and their two-year-old daughter Laurel Stephen, all of Yakarinta Village, North Rupununi.

The fatal crash occurred at around 11:20 hrs on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when the family, who was travelling on a red-and-black motorcycle, was struck by a minibus bearing registration number #BAC 8020. The vehicle is owned by one Shawn Pedro of Tabatinga, Lethem, and was being driven at the time by 34-year-old Darwell Bernard of Katoka Village.

Police investigations revealed that the minibus was proceeding north along the trail at about 50 kmph when the driver, while negotiating a turn, collided with the motorcycle, which was reportedly travelling in the opposite direction at a fast rate.

The impact threw the family from the motorcycle, leaving them with severe injuries. An Emergency Medical Team from the Lethem Hospital responded promptly with an ambulance and doctor on duty. Tragically, Jagnarine Stephen and his young daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. Kyrea Stephen, who was picked up in an unconscious state, later succumbed to her injuries while being transported to the Lethem Regional Hospital.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital’s mortuary, where they await post-mortem examinations.

Meanwhile, the minibus driver was arrested and taken into custody. Police confirmed that two breathalyser tests conducted on him returned negative results for alcohol. Investigations are ongoing.