Death of cyclist: Fmr. Army Chief hospitalised at GPHC without bail

Rear Admiral (Ret’d) and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Gary Best is now hospitalised at the cardiac unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

Regional Commander, Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas told the News Room that the 61-year-old complained of chest pains while in Police custody at the Kitty Police Station.

He was taken to the hospital Sunday morning.

“Mr Best is still hospitalised, he has not been granted bail as yet so we still investigating the matter,” the Commander said.

The Commander could not state when Mr Best will be discharged from the hospital.

Once the investigation into the accident is complete, the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

Best was driving black motor jeep PRR 8182 at around 04:30hrs Saturday when he struck down national cyclist, 41-year-old Jude Bentley on the Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy turn, killing him on the spot.

Police reported that Mr Best was over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the accident. The News Room understands that Mr Best’s alcohol limit was 0.85% micrograms. The legal limit is 0.35% micrograms.

Best reportedly told the Police that the cyclist “appeared in front of him” and he applied brakes when he swerved southwards to avoid a collision but the right side front of his vehicle collided with the cyclist before slamming into a utility pole.

Family and friends of Bentley disputed Best’s claims that the cyclist was not wearing reflectors at the time of the accident.

Bentley leaves to mourn his wife and seven children.