Man dies as van crashes into traffic lights

TERRENCE Sookdeo, 32, a machine-operator of Cem-etery Street, Pasea Road, Tunapuna died instantly when the van in which he was a passenger, crashed head-on into the traffic lights at the Pasea intersection of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway on Sunday.

According to reports, around 8.25 pm, the blue Toyota Hilux pick-up van was proceeding east along the CR Highway. In the vehicle were the driver, Sookdeo and another passenger. On nearing the Pasea Road intersection, the driver, police believe, fell asleep at the wheel and the van veered straight into the traffic lights, with Sookdeo dying instantly. Northern Division police officers under Insp Karim and including Cpl Jugmohan, PC Nigel De Silva and others visited the scene. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr Vinod Mahabir visited the scene and ordered the body removed to the Port-of-Spain Mortuary wh-ere an autopsy was carried out yesterday. Investigations are continuing.