POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at around 05:30 hours on Wednesday at the intersection of the Eastern Carriageway of Heroes Highway and the Mocha Main Access Road, East Bank Demerara.

The collision involved motor lorry #GAH 9771, owned and driven by 29-year-old Arif Haniff of Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, and motor car #PAH 7906, owned and driven by 64-year-old Charles Richards of Lot 31 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

According to initial investigations, Richards was driving east along the Mocha Main Access Road when he approached the intersection, where a STOP sign and STOP line are lawfully placed to regulate traffic. Police said Richards failed to comply with the traffic signal and continued east, ending up in the path of the southbound lorry along Heroes Highway. The vehicles collided, resulting in extensive damage to both.

Richards sustained severe head and bodily injuries. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) responded to the scene but pronounced him dead on arrival. His body was later taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Mortuary for storage, pending a post-mortem examination.

A Licensing and Certifying Officer examined both vehicles, while police served Haniff with a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

A breathalyser test conducted on him returned negative for alcohol. He remains in police custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.