Teen killed in Gran Couva crash

AN 18-YEAR-OLD boy was killed in a vehicular accident early yesterday morning when the pick-up in which he was travelling, slammed into a bridge and overturned in Gran Couva. Travis Karim Parris, of Mahabir Avenue, Caroni Savannah Road, died at the scene of the accident at Main Road, Gran Couva, while the driver of the vehicle and the two other occupants walked away with minor scrapes and bruises. Police reports indicate that shortly after midnight on Saturday, Parris was riding in a white Toyota Hi-Lux, driven by his childhood friend Evan Gerard Henry, 18, of Edinburgh 500. Also in the pick-up were Rajin Deonarine, 18, of Caroni Savannah Road, and Marlon Taylor, 19, of Lange Park, Chaguanas. Reports indicate that while driving in a westerly direction along Main Road in Gran Couva, Henry swerved to avoid hitting an object in the road, when he lost control and slammed into a bridge.

The pick-up  overturned and crashed on the southern side of the bridge.  Gran Couva police were contacted and acting Sgt Marchan Gittens, Cpl Ralph Satnarine, and PC Jobe responded. The District Medical Officer pronounced Parris dead at the scene. Describing Parris as a “respectful and ambitious boy,” his god-mother, Grace Ruiz, said the deceased was returning home after helping Henry with the painting of a house. “He was always helping people when he could. He was never in any trouble,” Ruiz said sadly.  According to Ruiz, after Parris completed schooling at Chaguanas Junior and Secondary Schools, he began attending the Capildeo Learning Resource Centre where he was doing on-the-job training as a storekeeper. She said Parris had planned to further his studies in electrical installation. His funeral was held yesterday at his home, and his body was interred at the St Thomas Cemetery according to Muslim rites.