Man battling for life after injured in hit and run accident

A 52-year-old man is battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was struck down by an Audi during his early morning walk along the Rupert Craig Highway on Monday.

Allan Downes of Oleander Gardens, East Coast Demerara, remains unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit three days after the accident; the driver of the vehicle PAC 5314, Budhram Heeralall, fled the scene but was arrested later by the Police.

However, he was subsequently released on station bail without charge.

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dennis Stephen told the News Room that an investigation is ongoing into the accident which occurred around 05:30 hrs in the vicinity of the University of Guyana (UG) road.

According to the senior cop, the vehicle was proceeding east along the northern carriageway when Downes allegedly walked from north to south and into the path of the vehicle.

The driver fled the scene but was apprehended around 10:00 hrs the said day and taken in custody at the Turkeyen police station.

The victim’s son, Oliver Downes, told the News Room that his father was on his daily early morning walk when the accident occurred.

“He (Allan) goes for a walk every morning and on Monday morning he was a victim of a hit-and-run. Right now he still remains critical,” Oliver told the News Room.

He added, “All the injuries are to his head. Fractured skull in a couple of places; bleeding in the brain and bruises to the brain. It’s all head injuries…He’s in an unconscious state for medical purposes to keep the pressure off the brain.”

The younger Downes said the Police promised to provide him with surveillance footage of the accident, but up to Wednesday, he did not receive same.

“I am waiting on the footage from the Police who told me they would give me yesterday (Wednesday) and up to now I can’t get it,” Oliver said.

He is confused as to why the driver was released even after the Police assured him that he would be kept in custody for 72 hours.

“He (driver) was released on Tuesday which would have been nearly about 36 hours after the accident. Prior to that, I was told he would have been for 72 hours there,” Oliver said.