Youth killed in accident was hardworking, caring– mother

Nionel Berkley was hardworking; he was loving and caring, his mother related on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, died tragically on Monday after colliding with pedestrian 66-year-old Shirley Hollingsworth along the Agricola, East Bank Demerara Road.

Police said that the elderly woman remains in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Berkley was the eldest of three children and according to his mother, Nicky, he was a certified mechanic and a driver attached to the Ministry of Labour.

He also served as a member of the Guyana Defence Force for three years.

“After the passing of his grandfather, his grandfather was a mechanic and handed everything over to him so that kind of triggered him, so leaving the army was because of the passing of his grandfather and then he was offered the position with the minister [Labour Minister],” his mother explained.

Berkley’s mother also clarified that he had a valid driver’s licence.

She said she last saw and spoke with him the day he died. He was heading to Georgetown at about 19:00hrs when he collided with Hollingsworth.

“A lady tried crossing the road and she turned back, that is far as I know,” the grieving woman said.

The News Room understands that Berkley was speeding on his motorcycle and according to the police, the young man was not wearing a helmet at the time.

Both victims were rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state, and Berkley was pronounced dead.

Friends and family have taken to social media to mourn his tragic death.