A 58-year-old motorcycle enthusiast was killed in accident in Diego Martin yesterday.Police said shortly before 11 am, David Fanan, of St Lucien Gardens, St Lucien Road, Diego Martin, was riding his motorcycle south along the Diego Martin Highway on the way to Port-of-Spain.Investigators said as Fanan was approaching Morne Coco Road in Petit Valley, the driver of grey Nissan Sunny illegally attempted to cross the highway to access the Four Roads junction of the Diego Martin Main Road.
Fanan reportedly attempted to swerve to avoid colliding with the car but still hit the side of the car.Fanan was thrown several feet into the air before landing at the side of the road, while his motorcycle split in two.Although he was wearing a helmet and other safety equipment, Fanan died while being put on a stretcher by Emergency Health Services (EHS) officials who were on the scene within minutes.
Fanan's relatives who went to the scene were too emotional to speak to media personnel. Several of his fellow motorcycle enthusiasts from west Trinidad also visited the scene in a show solidarity.The accident caused gridlock traffic for motorists entering and leaving Diego Martin, as police blocked both lanes of the highway while processing the crime scene and removing the components of Fanan's bike before towing the car to the police station.
Police also arrested the driver of the car, who is said to be from Petit Valley. He remained detained at the Four Roads Police Station up to late yesterday, where he was being interrogated by police.Investigators are considering charging the driver and for causing Fanan's death by dangerous driving. However, they will have to complete their investigation and consult the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before laying the charges.
Investigations are continuing.The area where the accident occurred is part of the new phase of the recently opened Diego Martin Highway extension. But many motorists have complained that some of the measures in the new road network there are causing headaches.