Teen killed by truck in Tobago

Chemeika Kerr, 19, of Bloody Bay, became Tobago’s fourth road fatality on Tuesday night after he was knocked off his bicycle by a truck. Reports state that Kerr, a security guard employed with Ragunaurthsingh Construction Company, was cycling along the Bloody Bay/Parlatuvier road around 6:30 pm on Tuesday, when he was hit by a truck travelling in the opposite direction, heading to Scarborough. It is believed that the driver of the truck, while trying to avoid hitting Kerr, lost control of the vehicle and hooked the bicycle to the truck, dragging Kerr for some 300 feet before ending up on a bank.

The driver of the truck is also employed with Ragunaurthsingh Construction company, which is reconstructing the L’Anse Fourmi/Charlotteville Link Road. An unconscious Kerr was removed from the scene in another Ragunaurthsingh vehicle and transferred to an ambulance on the way to the Scarborough Regional Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He eventually succumbed to his injuries. The driver is assisting Moriah police with their investigations, while the Licensing Department has also launched its own investigation to determine if  the bike was defective. Kerr’s death is the second road fatality for the month. Licensing Officer, Ezan Mohammed, has expressed concern at the number of accidents in Tobago this year. So far, the island has recorded 245 road accidents, including the four fatalities, for 2005.