The family of 79-year-old Clayton Grant, who died after he was struck down by a speeding motor pick-up on September 26, has accepted a $1 million settlement from the driver. The accident occurred along the Meten-meer-Zorg Public Road on the West Coast of Demerara.
“They asked what we wanted and we told them we wanted them to stand the expense, for the funeral and that was it, nothing less, nothing more,” the dead man’s niece, Penny Lewis, told the News Room.
She added: “We did the settlement and he is already gone, what are you going to fight and do?”
The vehicle involved in the accident is owned by Sheriff Security and was driven at the time by a 32-year-old man from Ruimzeight, WCD.
Police Headquarters had reported that the pickup was speeding west along the road when Grant, who was on a bicycle, attempted to cross the road and ended up in the vehicle’s path.
The front right portion of the vehicle hit the man and he was flung a short distance away.
Grant was picked up in an unconscious state by police ranks and immediately rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Friday, Regional Commander Mahendra Siwnarine told the News Room that even though the matter was settled outside of the court, the file was still sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack for advice.
“The matter still has to be sent for advise,” the Commander said.
Grant was described as a loving and kind person.
He was returning home from a nearby shop when he was struck down.
What a sad story.