Girl, 9, struck down on pedestrian crossing; driver arrested

A nine-year-old schoolgirl of Tain Primary School, Corentyne Berbice was struck down by a hire car while on the pedestrian crossing on the Miss Phoebe Public Road in Corentyne on Wednesday evening.

The young girl received minor injuries while the driver of the car (HD 848), 54-year-old Junior Leitch of Lancaster Village, Corentyne is in police custody.

Police reported that the girl was crossing the road from north to south at around 18:15hrs when Leitch, who was proceeding east, failed to stop and so, he collided with her.

Another car (PWW 5659), driven by 22-year-old Shazeem Khan of Corriverton, Berbice then collided with the rear of the hire car.

The schoolgirl was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where was kept overnight for observation and was discharged on Thursday.

Police said both drivers tested negative for alcohol. Investigations are ongoing.