Drunken minibus driver slams Tundra into Diamond trench

Mar 22, 2011 News

The tundra, which was transporting members of the Friendship Methodist Church.

– passengers were heading to church fun-day

What started out as a highly anticipated and exciting day for members of the Friendship Methodist Church as they boarded their vehicles destined to the Marudi Creek for their annual church fun-day, ended up as an experience they would not forget.
The experience would be a reminder to “give thanks and praise” to God for saving their lives.
Richard Prince, the driver of motor vehicle GKK 6195, a Tundra, was driving ahead of the church group along the Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara when he decided to stop in the vicinity of the double bridge and burial ground to check the wheels of his vehicle.
He told Kaieteur News that it was almost 14:00 hrs (02:00pm) when he stopped but before he could ascertain the condition of his wheels, a green minibus (BJJ 5759) came “crashing into the back” of his vehicle with such a force, that it hurled the Tundra into the nearby trench.
The occupants of the Tundra, two adults and three children, were traumatised. They later expressed thanks to the Almighty for sparing their lives and preventing anyone from sustaining serious injuries.
Prince explained that from all appearances the minibus driver was definitely under the influence of alcohol.
And while other church members in vehicles behind his Tundra rushed to the aid of the passengers, the minibus driver tried to flee the

The green minibus (BJJ 5759) which slammed into the tundra at the Little Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

scene. However, a car driver from the opposite lane saw that the man was trying to escape and blocked him.
At the scene, a tow truck was seen extricating the “trenched tundra” from the water while the church members were packing their belongings into other vehicles to continue their journey.
Though some were shaken by the incident, this did not deter them from carrying on with their church function.
Reverend Adolph Davis, from the Friendship Methodist Church, who was in his vehicle not far behind the Tundra, stated that the minibus driver came around the slight turn and hit the Tundra.
The minibus and its driver were no where to be seen, but Kaieteur News was told that police ranks from the Grove Police Station had taken the man into custody and his minibus (BJJ 5759) was impounded.
This newspaper understands that the minibus driver, identified as 47-year-old Lallboo Sohan of Lot 1 Yarrow Dam, Georgetown, upon being taken into police custody told the ranks “Ah didn’t kill nobody”.
Persons present at the Grove Police Station said that they were amazed at Sohan’s attitude towards the situation.
Upon the police questioning him about the level of alcohol in his system (which had apparently surprised the police officers since it was way above the limit), he casually replied “Is phagwah…That’s why I drink.” Sohan is currently in custody at the Golden Grove/Diamond Police Station.