Pensioner killed after being struck by Police vehicle

A pensioner is now dead after she was struck at Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, driving motor vehicle PRR 4446 on Tuesday.

Dead is Anmarie Deonarine, 65, of Lot 144 New Road, Crane.deonarine

Guyana Times understands that the accident occurred around 10:00h a short distance from the woman’s home.

According to reports, the woman was walking along the roadway when she was hit by a Police Officer attached to the Leonora Police Station, WCD.

The woman’s niece, Sharda explained to this publication that around 11:30h, she was passing Deonarine’s home when she noticed that her front door was left open.

She related that she received a call a few minutes later that informed that her aunt was in an accident.

She explained that she immediately left for the West Demerara Regional Hospital where she saw her relative lying on a stretcher in the Emergency Unit.

The niece added that at that time, she was not aware that the woman had already passed away, but was so informed later by a nurse.

“I was outside because when I saw her, she didn’t look as if she was dead. And a nurse came up to me and said that I was really brave and I asked why? She said that ‘you don’t know’ and I said no, after which she sent me back inside to speak to the doctor who told me that she had passed away,” the distraught woman explained.

She further explained to this publication that numerous Police Officers went to the hospital.

“Every minute, if you see how much of them Police Officers keep coming to the hospital and they were all checking her and asking a lot of questions. I then realise that they had something to do with her accident and I asked and was told that she was struck by an Officer.”

Deonarine was injured to her face, losing one of her eyes and sustaining a broken hand and leg.

Meanwhile, the Officer involved in the accident claimed that the woman was in the middle of the road at the time of the accident; however, an eyewitness disputed the Policeman’s version of events.

When contacted, D Division (West Demerara) Commander Leslie James confirmed the accident, and noted that a Police Officer was indeed involved in the accident.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Police said that a breathalyser test was conducted on the Officer by the Traffic Chief himself and no trace of blood alcohol was recorded. The widowed mother of three children was described as a very loving and cheerful person who would go out of her way to assist anyone in need.

Police have since launched an investigation into the matter.