Deportee killed in East Bank hit and run

An elderly man was Tuesday morning killed in a hit and run at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He was identified by residents as Eon Sam, known as ‘Yankee’, who they say had no fixed place of abode.

He was found in a pool of blood on the highway with his head smashed in and brain splattered on the road. There were other bruises and injuries to his body.

Ron Persaud, who lived a few houses away from the crime scene, told News Room that the man’s body was discovered around 05:00hrs.

Residents said that Sam, who is said to be in his 50s, was deported from the United States of America about six years ago.

He subsequently landed a job with Barama Company Limited as an air conditioning technician but since the firm closed operations, he has been jobless.

Sam was described as a “lover of Banko” and as someone who was always willing to help others.

He would often sleep in odd places like benches outside shops around the area.

The man would also do odd jobs with several businesses in the area to get by, residents said.

Some of his friends, who were drinking Banko and eating pickle on the roadside at Sarah Johanna, said the news of his death is saddening.

With no relatives in Guyana, they wondered if his relatives in the USA will ever know of his demise.

Police are investigating the matter.