A 31-year-old motorcyclist was killed on Sunday night after a lorry reportedly turned into his path on the Williamsburg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.
Dead is Haresh Gopilall of Williamsburg Village. Police said the accident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. and involved motor lorry GVV 5043, driven by a 27-year-old man of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and motorcycle CR 1603, which Gopilall was riding.
A 27-year-old man of Fyrish Village was riding pillion on the motorcycle at the time of the crash. According to preliminary investigations, the lorry was proceeding east along the northern driving lane at an alleged normal speed, while the motorcycle was traveling in the opposite direction at what police described as a fast speed.
Investigators said that as the motorcycle was about to pass, the lorry driver allegedly made a sudden right turn into its path, resulting in a collision on the southern driving lane.
The impact flung both the rider and pillion passenger from the motorcycle onto the road, causing injuries to their bodies.
They were picked up in a semi-conscious condition by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital.
Gopilall was pronounced dead on arrival, while the pillion rider was treated and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was admitted in a stable condition.
Police said the injured man is suffering from a fractured left jaw and left clavicle.
The body of the dead motorcyclist has been taken to Ramoo’s Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
A breathalyzer test conducted on the lorry driver produced readings of 31 and 32 micrograms, respectively. Police investigations are continuing.
