An early morning jog by Electrical contractor, Carlton Smartt turned deadly this morning after he was hit down and pinned by a speeding sand truck that was involved in an accident with another sand truck.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the trucks was being driven along Sheriff Street, while the other was crossing Sheriff Street from Dennis Street. The truck being driven along Sheriff Street collided with the back of the one crossing the street at top speed, resulting in both drivers losing control.
One of the trucks slammed into a number of cars and into a house and power pole, while the electrical contractor was hit down by the other truck which ended up partly in a canal.
At the scene, eyewitnesses said the drivers of both trucks were speeding and therefore did not have enough time to slow down, resulting in the collision. The electrical contractor, Carlton Smartt, who lived in the area but was originally from Linden, was pinned under the truck for more than two hours as it attempts were made to pull it back. He was pronounced dead on the spot.
Both truck drivers were taken to the hospital with multiple injuries. Their names have not been released.
“These truck drivers need to take them time on the road. Them ain’t driving with no caution on the road, they driving too wild. And look deh, they tek the man life now”, one eyewitness said.
Another eyewitnesses said “this truck man that end up overboard, the speed he coming with, he just jump over and when the other one slam he, he hit into me car…and my car left damaged”.
Several other cars were damaged by both trucks as they went out of control.
Two properties, which both house businesses along Sheriff Street were also damaged by one of the trucks.
Guyana is observing Road Safety Month this month and there have been repeated calls for safer use of the roadways, especially by the growing number of heavy duty trucks that are currently on the roadways as there is a construction boom in the country. Just last week, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said drivers need to be much more cautious.
The electrical contractor who died in the accident was well known. He was married and was the father of two children. He is originally from Rainbow City, Kara Kara in Linden and was also well known among basketball players in the community. He is being remembered as a humble and caring family man, who was also hardworking. Friends said he only recently started to jog in the area, as part of a routine to develop a healthier lifestyle.
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