File on Goed Fortuin fatal accident sent to DPP for advice

One week after 12-year-old Kayla Barnabus tragically lost her life after being struck by a vehicle attached to the Guyana Police Force, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Ravindradat Budhram told media operatives that the file was prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

“The investigation was done and we are presently receiving advice from the DPP and Police Legal Advisor,” he indicated.
It was reported that on the day in question, a vehicle had stopped for the young lady to use the pedestrian crossing, but the vehicle attached to the GPF bearing registration number GXX 6575, driven by a Police Corporal, reportedly overtook the stationary vehicle and struck the pupil.
From reports received, the vehicle was allegedly speeding at the time.
The Police stated that the child ran from east to west across the road in the path of the pick-up. They added that the driver swerved to avoid a collision, but the front of the vehicle collided with the schoolgirl.
She sustained injuries about her body and was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the vehicle was placed under close arrest.
A breathalyser test was administered to the driver, but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. The Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the accident.
Last week, acting Deputy Police Commissioner (Administration) Calvin Brutus, along with other senior Police officials visited the grieving family.
Brutus, who met with the child’s parents – Delmon and Somatee Barnabus – at their School Street, Goed Fortuin home, expressed his sympathy for the tragedy, on behalf of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and himself.
Brutus assured the grieving parents that a thorough and impartial investigation would be conducted into the unfortunate accident.