National cyclist struck, killed by intoxicated PNCR Executive Gary Best

…failed breathalyser test – Traffic Chief

Former national cyclist, Jude Bentley was on Saturday morning struck and killed, while riding on the Rupert Craig Highway, East Coast Demerara. The vehicle involved in the accident was being driven by PNC Executive member and Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best. Best is also a former presidential advisor to President David Granger and a current candidate on the APNU/AFC list.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 05:00h in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy, Kitty, Georgetown.
At that time, Bentley was reportedly proceeding to Sheriff Street to meet a group of cyclists when the black Land Cruiser came into contact with the cycle. Upon impact, he fell to the ground while the right side of the vehicle was badly damaged.
Guyana Times visited Bentley’s residence on Robb Street, Georgetown, a few hours later, where he operated a cycle shop. There, family members and friends showed up in their numbers to offer condolences.

His reputed wife, Akesia Hodge told this publication that he left home sometime around 04:23h in the morning. She said that about an hour later, she received the dreadful news that Bentley was involved in an accident and immediately rushed over to the scene. She added that when she arrived, his body was still lying on the roadway.
“So he left and about 04:45h, he was in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy going up the East Coast when the accident happen. I got a phone call and I was sleeping because that was about 05:23h. They said that ‘you need to go and check him’ so I pick up my daughter and I left the house to go drop her off and then go to see what happen. When I got to the scene, I saw him on the ground…,” Hodge recalled.

While there were claims by the driver that the cyclist was not wearing any reflective gears and his bike was not equipped with lights, she dispelled these allegations by saying that Bentley would always follow protocols. Moreover, he had recently purchased the Giant bike, which he was riding at the time of the incident.
“I also heard they said that Jude wasn’t riding with lights. Jude just purchased that bike a week ago in Panama and there is no way he would ride without lights, knowing that is what he does for a living,” she said.
Reflecting on the former national athlete, she added that he was a helpful person. He leaves to mourn seven children and other family members.
“He’s very frank, jovial and had a passion for bicycles because that’s where he started from. It’s just sad because he has kids that are left without a father. It’s so hard to deal with.”

Treatment of cyclists
Meanwhile, the other cyclists were expected to participate in a race throughout the morning, for which the National Park was opened. After the accident, the race was cancelled with the bikers opting to still use the circuit to ride. On Saturdays, the circuit is opened for cycling and other activities. However, cyclist Nigel London took to social media after officials from the National Parks Commission allegedly restricted them from using the facilities by locking the gates. While condemning these actions, he called for action to be taken to ensure that the lives of cyclists are given importance.
Via a live stream video, he shared, “That’s the course where we have to ride and they told me without any care, because we’re not racing, they’ve shut the gate. A cyclist died a few hours ago where a vehicle was driven in a manner that was apparently reckless or whatever it is but he died. There is a National Park with a paved circuit that we can ride on. These beasts have chosen to shut the gate on us as cyclists so we cannot ride in the park at a time when it is designated for us to ride.”
He added, “Who are we? What are we? Do we matter? I’m calling on the Guyana Cycling Federation to make this a matter of national significance because, at the end of the day, a human being died on the public road. We have a facility at the National Park here where cyclists can use it. They have locked us out.”
The now dead man was also a member of the Carlton Wheelers Cycling Club and Vice-President, Malcolm Sonoram was among the many to send his condolences.
Sonoram, who is also the Racing Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Association, expressed that it is a sad time in the cycling fraternity. He contended that they had been advocating for facilities for cyclists in the past but nothing has been done.
“They were supposed to meet at Sheriff Street by the Seawall so he was en route to meet the others there. It is a loss for the cycling community. One of the things I would like to note is that we have been advocating to give a space to ride and train for years now but I’m always looking at the fact that we have to be a reactive group of people. Why is it that when something happens of this magnitude, then we are able to talk about it,” Sonoram contended.
Police are continuing their investigation as a Post-Mortem Examination is scheduled to be conducted. Best was reportedly taken into custody where a breathalyser test was conducted. According to Traffic Chief Linden Isles, the results showed that Best was above the legal limit.