Pick-up driver in Claxton Bay crash still critical

RICHARD CHARLES, driver of the pick-up involved in the fatal accident that claimed the life of Orlando McIntosh, a member of the Lydian Singers, was still in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital late yesterday. Charles, 27, of Erin, suffered a fractured skull and lost his left eye, hospital authorities said. A passenger in Charles’ vehicle, Aaron Blackman, 23, was reported to be in stable condition on Ward Three at the hospital. He is being treated for chest injuries.

Charles was driving his pick-up van on the North-bound lane around 10.15 pm when it skidded out of control, jumped the median and crashed into a car on the South-bound lane which was being driven by McIntosh, of Trincity. McIntosh died at hospital shortly after the crash. At the time of the accident, he was on his way to the Naparima Bowl to perform at an Emancipation Day show. As he lay trapped and unconscious in the mangled wreckage of the car, thieves attempted to steal musical instruments from inside the vehicle. They were eventually chased off by Highway Patrol officers as fire fighters worked to remove the severely injured singer from the wreckage.

Police have impounded both vehicles at the Claxton Bay Police Station where they will be examined by officers from the Licensing Department. Police investigators are still not certain what caused the vehicle driven by Charles to overturn after it collided with the highway median in the vicinity of the Claxton Bay Flyover and landed on the South-bound lane. Sgt Wayne Boyd of the Claxton Bay Police Station is investigating.