‘Jaywalking’ blamed for 106th road death

JAYWALKING is being blamed for yesterday’s road accident which claimed the life of Arouca resident, Terry Matthews, who died on the Priority Bus Route (PBR) in the vicinity of Second Avenue, Barataria. According to police reports, Matthews, said by the police to be about 47, was talking to someone on the northern side of the PBR about 11.25 am. Police said after the conversation, Matthews suddenly attempted to cross the road to the southern side of the PBR. Matthews walked into the path of a TSTT van which was driven by technician, Andy Joseph, 39. Matthews died on the spot and senior police officers told Newsday that because of the suddeness in which Matthews attempted to cross the road, Joseph had no time to take evasive action.

A report was made and a party of officers from the Barataria/El Socorro Police station headed by PCpl Carol Hickson visited the scene and conducted investigations. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Shurland Taylor viewed the body which was later ordered removed to the Port-of-Spain mortuary for post-mortem. Contacted yesterday, Assistant Comm-issioner of Police (Mobile) Deochan Gosine described the accident as unfortunate and likened it to jaywalking. “People are quick to blame drivers, but safety also lies with pedestrians. They have the right to execute traffic instructions,” Gosine said. Matthews’ death is now the 106th for the year from 86 road accidents, according to statistics from the Traffic Branch. The last two road deaths occurred Wednesday night when Ministry of Works labourer Arnold Herreira and Chabianath Dhagal died in separate accidents in Central Trinidad.