Man pleads for justice after wife, son injured in Hope, EBD accident

In a heartfelt plea for justice, a father who hails from Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) shared the harrowing ordeal his family has faced since a tragic accident on June 26 at Hope, EBD.
His 28-year-old wife, who was pregnant at the time, and their 12-year-old son were involved in a two-vehicle collision after one of the vehicles attempted to overtake a line of traffic.
The consequences of this “recklessness” resulted in his wife sustaining a broken hand, and their son suffering a severe eye injury. This, he said, left his wife and son hospitalised for three months.
When contacted on Saturday, John Springer, who is a member of the Soesdyke Community Policing Group (CPG), explained that his family has endured significant emotional and financial burdens, including surgeries and ongoing medical care.

Springer said his anguish is compounded by the perception that reckless drivers often escape the full weight of justice.
“One minibus decided to overtake a line of vehicles on the Hope turn, colliding with the minibus my wife was in… I really don’t think this will make any sense because it might not get to the right person who needs to see it but I’ll say it anyway. Being in this position as a father knowing I could have lost three family members in one accident because one person couldn’t wait for one second, it’s heart-rending. My son is just 12 and had to go through so much,” he related.
“I even lost my job as a result of all of this. I had to take a loan from my workplace to take care of my family. However, after some time, my boss told me I had just a few days to pay back the loan… I’ve spent over $1 million and it’s my mother who is helping financially.”
He related that while some drivers may face fines or be placed on bail for dangerous driving, many families are left to grapple with the aftermath of accidents and their suffering is largely unaddressed.
“I’ve spent a lot of money since the accident. My son had to go through several surgeries, and my wife came out of the hospital yesterday (Friday), she too underwent surgery, and according to the doctors, my baby who was born the other day [one month old] has to have surgery when she’s 6 months old.”
“This is what families have to go through at the hands of reckless drivers and when the matter reaches court they are placed on bail for dangerous driving and the driver’s life goes on, or they plead guilty and pay a fine but leave families to grieve or to suffer,” the man said.
The father drew attention to a recent incident at the Eccles New Road roundabout where a driver was placed on remand and given a timeframe to make payments for damages caused to the State due to dangerous driving. He questioned whether such justice was consistent and called for a fair and equitable approach to hold all reckless drivers accountable.

“…immediately the court by whatever means placed the man on remand and also gave him a timeframe to make payments for damages caused to the State. This is the first time I’ve seen someone placed on remand for dangerous driving. What goes for one goes for all,” he expressed.
“If that guy can be sued for State property, in just a short time, why can’t it be for the citizens who are suffering at the hands of these dangerous drivers? Why can’t the court award the family’s compensation for damages through the driver?”
He said his message resonates with countless families who have endured the trauma of accidents on our roadways. Springer said they share the hope that their pleas for justice and accountability will be heard, ensuring that those responsible for endangering lives are held responsible for their actions.
“How many families get justice from these accidents and how many dangerous drivers had to pay for damages for the victims of these accidents that occur on our roadway by way of judgement passed after the court hearing and with timeframe as I mentioned earlier?”