Teen dies, friend critical after Bagotville accident

…tensions unfold as driver identifies point of impact

A West Bank Demerara (WBD) teen lost his life on the Bagotville Public Road on Wednesday evening, while his friend is in a critical condition following a motorcycle accident.
The dead young man has been identified as 18-year-old construction worker Dan Batson, called “Q”, who would have been celebrating his 19th birthday in two weeks.
The 20-year-old pillion rider, Trevon Callender was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where a medical team is battling to save his life.
Reports indicate that the duo was proceeding on motorcycle CJ 2217 on the

Bagotville Public Road, when Batson attempted to turn into the yard of his Lot 119 Bagotville home at about 20:30h but instead collided with a speeding motor car bearing registration plates HC 3870.
The duo was flung from the cycle, with Callender landing in a nearby drain and Batson onto the roadway. Initial reports suggested that Batson was travelling without headlamps but eyewitnesses disputed much of what was being reported.
According to Police demarcations, the car came to a halt approximately six houses away from the point of impact. Batson’s 17-year old cousin was the main eyewitness and is said to have trouble sleeping after seeing his cousin perish before his eyes.
When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, Police had the driver point to the area where the collision occurred. The relatives of the dead man became enraged as the diver told the Police his version of what transpired.
He reportedly told Police that his brakes failed moments before the collision.
Asked for a comment, the young man’s mother was still in a state of shock and

was unable to give an interview.
However, with a distraught countenance, the dead lad’s father, Benjamin Batson said he was still in disbelief over his son’s demise, telling Guyana Times that he was in the shop playing dominoes when he heard the crashing sound.
The father added that it was his cousin who first ran out and others followed. The senior Batson disputed the driver’s version of events. “According to information, the point of impact is wrong because the distance where the car stopped, it had a van,” he claimed.
Police have said that a breathalyser test conducted on the driver of the motorcar showed no trace of alcohol on his breath. (Shemuel Fanfair)