1 dead, 1 critical in Berbice hit-and-run accident

A teen motorcyclist is now dead while another person is injured following a hit-and-run accident at New Amsterdam in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Dead is 19-year-old Vishan Ramphal, a welder attached to the Albion Sugar Estate and of Campbell Street, Belvedere, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Injured is pillion rider Renita Prechand, 18, of Williamsburg, Corentyne.
Police said the couple were riding motorcycle CJ 4962 when they crashed into the arch on Monday evening.
According to the Police, the motorcycle was proceeding north on the eastern lane at a fast pace when a motor car bearing registration number PJJ 3534 collided with the motor cycle, causing the rider and pillion rider to be tossed into the air before crashing into the concrete arch block.
They were picked up in unconscious conditions and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where Ramphal was pronounced dead on arrival and Prechand was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital suffering from a broken right leg and arm.

When Police arrived at the scene, the two injured persons were lying on the road by the arch.
The motorcycle was 26 metres away from the bodies and the helmet was a further 27 metres away, indicating the speed at which the bike was moving.
At the scene, Police found a car light and a lug nut belonging to the car which reportedly fled the scene after the accident.
The registration plate number was engraved on the light.
Ramphal lived with his mother, Hemalee Seeram, who told Guyana Times that he was expected back home before midnight.

She said she called her son about 23:00h on Monday and he told her that he was with his father drinking a Guinness and he was going to be home shortly.
Two hours later, she said, she called again and someone answered the phone, but provided no information.
However, about 03:00h on Tuesday, a relative informed her about the accident.
“Is me and he alone living and he use to do everything for me. He was the breadwinner for me,” the 40-year-old mother said.
The dead teen’s father, Narendra Ramphal said his son was not with him drinking, noting that he might have used that excuse to get to stay out longer on the road.
“I don’t drink,” the 40-year-old man told this publication.
Ramphal said he went to the mortuary to identify his son.
“His foot break and across from his neck to his chest is some marks like he hit something. Blood coming out from his ears. His jaw smash in on the one side,” he related.
Some of the metal fabrication which formed the arch was dislodged. Impressions suggest that Ramphal’s head would have impacted the iron structure.
Ramphal’s parents say they did not know Prechand.
Next week the teen was expected to celebrate his 20th birthday.
Up to press time, Police were still trying to locate the driver of the car. (G4)