Man killed in Couva smash-up

THE death toll over the long Easter weekend climbed to seven when on Easter Monday, a smash-up involving a car and van occurred in Couva, claiming the life of a Valencia man and leaving nine other persons injured. Dale Garcia, 22, of Valencia reportedly died at the scene, while up to yesterday, — Dennis Neptune — who police say was the driver of the pick-up, remains warded in critical condition at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH).

According to police reports, around 8.15 pm, Shamshudeen Hosein, 17, of Perseverance Village, Couva was proceeding south along the Old Southern Main Road, Mc Bean, Couva in a grey Honda Accent. In the car were Hosein’s 16-year-old sister Shameela, Kevin Jadoonanan, 19, and Amjad Ali, 20 — the latter two both  from Kali Bay, Couva. At the same time, Neptune was driving a green Mazda pick-up along Calcutta No 3 Road with Orneal Carlton of Bethel Village, Tobago and Andy Hosein, 17, of Sobo Village, La Brea seated in the van. Sitting in the tray of the pick-up were Garcia, Marcus Joseph, 30, of La Brea and Cameron Ali, 16, of Chickland, Freeport.

As the van left Calcutta No 3 Road and turned right onto the Old Southern Main Road, it collided with Hosein’s oncoming car, causing Garcia to be thrown from the tray and onto the road. Death was almost instantaneous, police said. Neptune was rushed to Couva District Hospital in an EHS ambulance. He was treated and subsequently transferred to the SFGH where he remains warded with serious neck and head injuries. The other occupants of the car and pick-up were all taken to Couva Health Centre where they were treated for minor injuries.

ASP Terry Archibald and Cpl Mary Maloney are continuing investigations. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Dennis Garcia, father of the deceased, said while he would miss his son terribly, he was not blaming anyone for the fatal accident. “Dale was a big man living with his wife. He made his decision to go out and I am not blaming anyone for what happened,” Garcia said. “Because of the situation he found himself in, Dale started doing all kinds of jobs...even climbing trees to make an honest living. He was a nice, cool boy,” the grieving father added. Newsday learned that the deceased man returned to Trinidad on Saturday after being released from prison in Tobago where he served time for a marijuana possession charge.