Two killed in collision

DEATH stalked the Solomon Hochoy High-way Wednesday night, claiming the lives of a 61-year-old English-man and a 35-year-old nephew of fashion designer Claudia Pegus in a vehicular accident near Preysal Flyover, Couva. Up to yesterday, efforts were being made to have autopsies carried out on the bodies of  Edwin Anthony Young, 61, and Gerard Pegus. Investigators described the collision which claimed both men’s lives as a freak accident. Young, who was originally from England but lived at Leotaud Lands, Arima was employed with IKKON Blocks Limited. Pegus was an information systems consultant in the Office of the Prime Minister.

At around 8.30 pm Ian Kong, 53, of Bayshore, Pt Cumana, was driving his Suzuki Vitara SUV north along the Solomon Hochoy Highway with Young as his passenger. Pegus was proceeding in the same direction en route to his home at Roystonia, Couva after teaching evening classes in computer technology. Approximately a quarter mile before the flyover, Young asked Kong to pull to the shoulder of the highway. Kong, who received minor injuries in the accident, told police Young alighted the vehicle. As Pegus’ blue Chevy Monza was nearing the parked jeep, the right rear tyre blew out, causing him to lose control of the vehicle which flipped over several times and slammed into the back of SUV. It also struck Young who was flung into a ravine, where he died.

Pegus’ body was flung 93 feet away onto a bamboo batch. He died on the spot. Pegus’ mother-in-law, Shirley Babooram, said he loved life, loved his family and was a helpful, giving person. “He was a really nice person and his passing has been a great shock to his family and friends,” Babooram said. She said Pegus was married to her daughter, Karen, and they were the parents of two girls, aged seven months and four years. Officers from the Couva Police Station, including WPCs  Keneta Beckles-Gordon, Amelia Bruce and investigating officer PC Latif Khan visited the scene. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Indarjit Birja, also visited the scene and ordered the bodies removed to the Forensic Sciences Complex. Investigations are continuing.