For more than ten years, polio victim Lennox Ralph Sammy walked across the busy San Fernando Bypass to escort his wife home from work at the San Fernando market.However, on Saturday Sammy took his last walk when a car broke the traffic light and slammed into him, killing him on the spot.Sammy, 58, of Flambouyant Crescent, Pleasantville, died around 6.15 pm.
Witnesses told police that Sammy was crossing the Bypass close to the Pleasantville traffic lights when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old, Penal forklift operator. The driver told police he was proceeding south along the bypass when he lost control of vehicle and collided with Sammy and two other vehicles–a silver Nissan B-15 and a beige Nissan Almera.
Both vehicles were awaiting the traffic light to proceed west on Chaconia Avenue when the crash occurred. Sammy was pitched into the air and landed on the opposite side of the road about 50 feet away. He suffered massive head and internal injuries and died on the spot.District medical officer Dr Assing visited the scene and ordered Sammy's body removed to the San Fernando mortuary.
At Sammy's home yesterday, his wife Chandra was inconsolable. She said Sammy was well known and loved by his neighbours, friends and family."He was a kind-hearted and loving person who never let his disability keep him down," Chandra said. She said since they got married 15 years ago, he has been a devoted husband.
"He couldn't work so he used to come in the market and help me. Every day he would walk across that road and he was always very careful," Chandra said. She called on the police to continue to crack down on drunk drivers.Meanwhile, Sammy's sister Lorna Bernard said people must be careful when driving."We have too much reckless drivers on the road. People need to be more careful," Bernard said.
An autopsy is expected to be conducted today at the San Fernando mortuary.Cpl Heeralal is continuing investigations.
