Death of pregnant teen: Inquest to be conducted into accident – DPP

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered that a Coroner’s Inquest be held into the February 17 Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD) accident which claimed the life of a 17-year-old pregnant girl. An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine if anyone is to be held liable for a person’s death.

Bibi Sophia Mohammed and her sister, Maria Mohammed, were on an electric bike when they were struck by a truck bearing registration number GRR 3130, owned by R and B Investment.
At the time of the accident, the truck was being driven by Rickford Beckles, a 67-year-old resident of Annandale, ECD. On the other hand, the electric bike was being ridden by 16-year-old Maria, while the now dead teen was the pillion rider.
Police had stated that the truck was proceeding along the Coldingen Public Road when the driver alleged that as he approached the main road, he stopped and observed the traffic before going onto the main access road. He, however, claimed that when he drove off, he felt his lorry ‘bump up’ and upon checking, he saw the two sisters lying on the road next to an electric bike.
Persons rushed to the scene, and the girls were picked up and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where they were examined but Bibi was pronounced dead on arrival.
The young sister had been admitted to the hospital for various injuries.
Bibi, who was six months pregnant at the time of her demise, leaves behind her mother, Estelle, sister, and other loved ones. For her family, it will be heartbreaking to move on without her. Bibi had resided with her parents and siblings at Lot 366 Non Pareil Railway Embankment, ECD.
During a recent interview with <<<Guyana Times>>>, Estelle had described her late daughter as a “very, very good child”. When asked about how she is coping, the mother had shared, “Inside of me feel very sick and empty but only Allah knows the best. She was six months pregnant.”
The grieving mother had related that on that tragic day, Bibi and her sister left home on the electric scooter which they would normally use to run errands in the neighbourhood.
“It is my bike. She [Maria] takes her other siblings to school using the bike. I does tell her to be careful and she does tek she time and ride,” Estelle had said during the telephone interview.
Meanwhile, Maria, who had been hospitalised after the collision, had recounted what happened on the day in question. “The truck went behind me, so me done cross the road to head up Annandale. He [the truck driver] watch right and he didn’t watch who went in front of him, and me feels like something just knock me…and me sister start to holler…”
“I am feeling sad,” expressed Maria who misses her older sister.
Following the fatal accident, the truck driver was arrested but was subsequently released on station bail pending investigations. After completing the probe, the Police sent the case file to the Office of the DPP for legal advice. It was advised that an inquest be conducted. (G1)