Police probe alleged murder after stabbed taxi driver crashes into canal

…21-year-old contractor in custody

Police in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are investigating the alleged murder of a 42-year-old taxi driver whose vehicle plunged into a canal along the Edinburgh Public Road, East Bank Berbice, early Tuesday morning after he was reportedly stabbed during an argument moments earlier.

Dead is Oswin Lawson of Lot 46 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Initial Police reports had indicated that the incident was being treated as a fatal accident after Lawson’s motor car, HD 8644, crashed into a roadside stand before ending up submerged in a canal at about 01:30h.
According to Police, Lawson was driving south along the eastern drive lane of the Edinburgh Public Road at a fast rate of speed when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and collided with the stand situated on the eastern grass parapet before plunging into the trench.
Investigators initially suspected that the driver may have fallen asleep.
However, the investigation later took a dramatic turn after several suspected stab wounds were discovered on Lawson’s upper body.
Police subsequently revisited the scene and, based on information received, arrested a 21-year-old contractor of Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice.
Investigators now believe that Lawson had been involved in an altercation shortly before the crash.
According to Police, Lawson was at a social gathering at a shop along the Edinburgh Public Road when an argument allegedly erupted between him and the 21-year-old suspect.
The confrontation reportedly escalated, during which Lawson was allegedly attacked.
Police said the injured man later entered his vehicle and drove away from the scene before the vehicle went overboard into the trench.
Eyewitnesses said Lawson drove only a short distance before crashing into the roadside stand and ending up in the canal.
One resident recalled hearing a loud impact shortly after a commotion in the area.
“After the commotion, I heard a loud banging sound, so I immediately thought this was an accident,” the man explained.
The witness said that when he went outside, he saw Lawson’s girlfriend shouting for help.
“She was yelling, ‘Somebody go overboard; go help the man overboard’,” the resident recalled.
The man said he wanted to assist but was unable to swim.
According to the eyewitness, the vehicle remained visible in the water for several minutes before becoming fully submerged.
“The car took at least three to five minutes before it went down,” he said, adding that one of the windows was down.
“It wasn’t like the window was up and he couldn’t come out. Apparently, he was unconscious when the vehicle hit the water,” the resident said.
The witness further claimed that the vehicle remained submerged for more than an hour before it was eventually pulled from the canal.
Police said Lawson was removed from the vehicle in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.
The eyewitness also expressed frustration over what he believed was a delayed rescue response.
According to him, emergency responders and Police arrived at the scene, but the vehicle remained underwater for a prolonged period before Lawson was removed.
Police have since confirmed that the suspect remains in custody, assisting with investigations.
Reports are that the suspect is a close relative of Lawson’s fiancée.
Lawson’s body has since been taken to Arokium Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination as investigations continue. (G-4)