‘Highway carnage continues’: but traffic chief says no need for safety unit

Oct 02, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – In light of the recent surge in fatal accidents along the rehabilitating Linden–Soesdyke Highway, Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh stressed that the police have already implemented all possible measures to maintain safety.

He emphasised that ultimate responsibility lies with drivers and vehicle owners, who must exercise caution and diligence when using the roadway.

His comments came in response to retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe, who recently described the highway as a “death trap” that requires urgent attention. In a letter published Monday, Slowe proposed the creation of a specialized Highway Safety Unit, equipped with vehicles, safety gear, and electronic warning systems, operating around the clock to address hazards such as broken-down vehicles, erosion, or water-logged surfaces.

“The main purpose of the highway patrol must be to identify potential dangers i.e.,  broken-down vehicles, erosion, loose surface, water lodged on the road surface, etc. and ensure that adequate warning signs are put in place at a reasonable distance from the potential danger. I am sure that this measure, if immediately implemented, can have a significant impact on the safety of this important artery,” he said.

However, in an interview with Kaieteur News, Singh explained that many of the suggested measures are already in place, particularly constant patrolling. He noted that during the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, the police implemented a more structured highway patrol system with traffic-focused operations from each division. “Previously, there was only a checkpoint where vehicles simply passed through a barrier. Now, there is a fixed establishment with a building, mobile patrols by vehicle, and active engagement by ranks,” Singh stated.

He further explained that another measure, the highway patrol base, complements this system.  He stated that since the highway serves as a vital link between Region Four (East Bank) and Region Ten (Linden), the two divisions now work in coordination to strengthen traffic management and enhance preventative road safety.

While acknowledging the rise in fatal accidents along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, Singh stressed that responsibility also lies with drivers. “That takes away no grievance that there are accidents, but when it comes down to responsibility, it is not a police issue alone. The Soesdyke–Linden Highway is still undergoing transformation as part of the rehabilitation works. We issue traffic advisories weekly, and there are constant lectures delivered to drivers across Region Ten and the East Bank. We keep preaching to them, reminding them, urging them,” he said.

Singh also highlighted the problem of immobile vehicles left on the highway. “When immobile vehicles are seen on the highway, they are not there by chance. It is the responsibility of the driver to call 911 and report it to the police, it’s free. Once notified, we take into account that the driver may not have cones or reflectors available. We then respond immediately, take photographs, place cones, and issue traffic advisory. This alerts other road users and prevents further danger,” he explained.

Singh also underscored poor vehicle maintenance, speeding, and driver fatigue as persistent challenges. “When they are not so capable, they feel tired; you to take time off you can’t proceed in the same manner. We have experienced this in the past. Persons have crashed because they were tired,” Singh said.

The ongoing $200M rehabilitation of the 73-kilometre highway, funded through a partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Islamic Development Bank, includes reconstruction, new bridges, culverts, and improved standards. The contract was signed in 2023. Yet since works commenced in 2024, fatal crashes have spiked, with multiple deadly accidents recorded throughout 2024 and into 2025.

Fatal accidents reported between 2024  and 2025

Between January 2024 and September 2025, at least 20 people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured in a series of tragic accidents along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, despite ongoing rehabilitation works and repeated road safety advisories.

On September 26, 2025, two men were killed and another seriously injured in an early-morning crash at Loo Creek. The deceased were identified as Da Tai Lei, 54, a Chinese national from Lethem, and Edward Singh, 87, also of Lethem. Reports indicate that a truck, GAH 5391, driven by Liston Marcus, 31, had developed mechanical problems and was left unattended on the western side of the highway. As Da Tai Lei was driving pickup PAE 6499 northbound at a fast rate, he collided with the parked truck. Both he and Singh sustained fatal injuries, while Wen Wu Lei, 41, who was also in the pickup, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Just days earlier, on September 22, 2025, two men identified only as Sherwin and Marlon (also known as “Alex”) were killed when their Toyota Raum slammed into a truck in the vicinity of Ideal Road. According to police reports, the men, who were workmates, had just left a heritage celebration when tragedy struck.

On August 27, 2025, three people lost their lives after two trucks collided and caught fire near Loo Creek. The dead included Lionel Campbell, 73, driver of motor lorry GXX 1546, his unidentified passenger, and a Venezuelan woman known only as Melie, who was in another truck driven by Carlos Yasmanie, 29. Police said Yasmanie was speeding north when he swerved to avoid a slowing car and instead crashed head-on into Campbell’s southbound truck. The impact caused Yasmanie’s vehicle to burst into flames. He was rescued with serious injuries, while Melie was trapped inside and burnt to death. Campbell and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.

Another fatal crash occurred on August 17, 2025, when a Toyota Fielder Wagon collided with a truck, leaving three dead. The victims were identified as 7-year-old Meranzo Campbelle, Shelly Joseph, and Keiron Wells. Two were killed instantly, while the third succumbed during treatment.

On June 30, 2025, a 78-year-old motorcyclist, Winston Hibbert of Long Creek, died after crashing into a concrete kerb at high speed. Police investigations revealed that Hibbert had been drinking at a funeral earlier that day and was not wearing a helmet. He was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex but later died from his injuries.

Earlier that year, on May 20, 2025, two men lost their lives in a collision between a car and a minibus near Adventure. The deceased were Kowmalram Ramin, 40, the car’s driver, and his passenger Fitzgerald Arthur Carter, 29. Police said Ramin’s speeding car lost control on a section of road under construction and swerved into the path of a minibus driven by Immanuel Dorris, 32. Despite Dorris’ attempt to brake, the collision was unavoidable. Both Ramin and Carter were pronounced dead at the Linden Hospital Complex.

On April 22, 2025, a motorcyclist, Markind Jackson, 39, of Silver Hill, was killed when a minibus driven by Maurice Meredith, 54, lost control at Moblissa and veered into his lane. The bus struck Jackson and his motorcycle before crashing into a parked car. Jackson was pronounced dead at the hospital, while Meredith was admitted under police guard.

Another fatal crash was reported on March 2, 2025, when pedal cyclist Keron DeFreitas, 32, was struck by a truck driven by Ovid Spencer, 67, in the Hill Foot area. DeFreitas was overtaken by the truck, which clipped him, causing him to fall and be run over. He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Center but was pronounced dead on arrival. Spencer remains in custody as investigations continue.

In January 2024, the first of a series of highway fatalities claimed the life of Eric Williams, 22, who crashed into the back of a parked container truck at Dora. Police reported that the truck had no lights at the time of the accident, leaving Williams no chance to avoid the collision.

Later that year, on July 13, 2024, a tragic crash claimed the lives of former national footballer and coach Carlyle Hunte and his 9-year-old grandson, Malique Roberts. Hunte was driving with three of his grandchildren when his vehicle collided with a logging truck. The car flipped several times before coming to a halt, leaving Hunte and Malique dead, while his two surviving grandchildren were rushed to Mackenzie Hospital for treatment.

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• Carlylne Hunte, carnage, Eric Williams, highway, Shelly Joseph, Traffic Chief

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