Eccles-Mandela Roundabout accident: Govt demands $2.1M in repair costs from speeding driver

…failure to comply within 14 days would result in legal proceedings

Troy Humphrey, the driver responsible for damaging the new roundabout at the intersection of the Eccles to Mandela Four-Lane Road and Dumpsite Road on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) during an accident last week, would have to repay $2.1 million for repairs.
Due to alleged reckless driving on the part of the driver, the accident occurred less than two weeks after the roundabout was commissioned by President Dr Irfaan Ali.
Through the Attorney General’s Chambers, a letter has been dispatched to the driver on Wednesday, informing him that he has 14 days to repay the $2.1 million that was spent to fix the damages.
At 21:40h on September 15, motor vehicle PAB 805, owned and driven by Humphrey of Norton Street, Georgetown, collided with the roundabout.
Reports from the Guyana Police Force’s investigation, including video footage of the accident, disclosed that the driver had been operating the vehicle recklessly, dangerously, negligently and at a fast rate of speed whilst proceeding south on the eastern carriageway of the Eccles to Mandela four Lane Road.

As per the Police investigation, upon approaching the intersection, where a roundabout and road markings are visibly placed to regulate the movement of traffic, Humphrey failed to stop or apply any brakes whatsoever; he continued further south and collided into the roundabout.
“As a result of your reckless, dangerous and negligent driving, as well as your complete disregard for other road users, you caused damage to the Water Fountain and other parts of the Roundabout, and injuries to yourself and passengers, namely Fulisa Burnette and Phillip Jeffery, both of whom were rendered unconscious resulting from the impact of the collision,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall informed the driver in the letter.
Consequently, the Guyana Government expended money to effect emergency repair works to the damages caused, which amounted to $2.1 million. These efforts included mobilisation and demobilisation; demolition of damaged sections and removal of debris from the site; replacement of stone pavers, repairs to the fountain rails inclusive of tiling; supply and installation of stone tiles to fountain exterior and mosaic tiles to fountain interior; draining of fountain, degreasing of fountain; cleaning of fountain of oil and other contaminants; replacement of jet, pump repairs and electrical works; replacement of fountain light; replacement of filter materials due to contamination; the supply of distilled water to fill the fountain, and pressure washing and clearing of the site.
The AG has outlined that failure to honour the payment obligation in 14 days would result in legal proceedings being instituted against the driver for recovery of the aforesaid sum as special damages, along with general damages, interests and costs.
This measure will be in addition to the institution of all relevant criminal charges disclosed, resulting from investigations conducted by the Guyana Police Force.
As part of a myriad of measures to address the wanton recklessness and negligence by road users, the resultant carnage and destruction of public property, the State, including public corporations and statutory authorities, has pledged to aggressively recover compensation for damages and destruction to public property.
“A similar approach will be adopted in relation to the destruction and damage to public property by whatever cause. Billions of dollars are spent annually to repair and reconstruct public property damaged and destroyed by unlawful and/or highly irresponsible conduct,” the Attorney General added in a statement. (G12)