Pedestrian, 51, killed in early morning accident at Uitvlugt

Dead: Nicolas Khelawon

A 51-year-old pedestrian was killed in the wee hours of Tuesday after he was struck down by a speeding minibus that allegedly attempted to avoid hitting a motor car.

Dead is Nicolas Khelawon of Lot 155 Ocean View, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The accident occurred at about 03:19h on the Uitvlugt Public Road.  

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), minibus BZZ 1192, driven by a 29-year-old from Kaikan Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was travelling east along the northern drive lane of the Uitvlugt Public Road at an alleged fast rate.

The driver claimed that a motor car, whose number is unknown, suddenly made a ‘U-turn’ from south to north in front of him. The minibus driver swerved right to avoid a collision, causing the bus to collide with Khelawon, who was standing on the southern grass parapet alongside the road.

At the time of the accident, the minibus had five occupants, excluding the driver.

As a result of the collision, the pedestrian fell onto the road surface, sustaining injuries to his body. Public-spirited citizens at the scene rushed to his aid and transported him, along with the minibus driver and occupants, to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Khelawon was examined by a doctor who pronounced him dead. The minibus driver was treated for injuries and taken into custody to assist with the investigation.