The family of 82-year-old Margaret Genova Sandy of Lopinot, who was killed in a crash on the Priority Bus Route on Monday, “do not see the need for any long-drawn-out investigation.”
As they prepare to bid Sandy farewell today, her niece, Pamela Elder, SC, made reference to the CCTV footage that captured the crash.
Elder said “the CCTV footage presents cogent evidence which will assist any prudent, competent and dedicated police officer to do an expeditious investigation.”
Elder, who is one of T&T’s leading criminal defence attorneys, also said that she waits with bated breath to view the inspector’s report as well as the expert report.
“I just hope the army is following its proper procedures with respect to the driver of that vehicle and I wonder whether he was asked at the time of the accident to submit his blood for testing, just in case he was under some influence,” Elder said.
“I would like to see the inspector’s report with respect to that vehicle and the expert report also, as to the speed to which that vehicle was travelling, especially the weight and size.
“Any expert should be able to calculate what speed that vehicle was travelling so I don’t see the need for any long-drawn-out investigation.”
Asked how her cousin Ivan Pierre, 61, who survived the crash, was doing, Elder said his condition has gotten worst and that he was on standby for emergency surgery. She said he was warded at the High Dependency Ward of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mount Hope.
“On Thursday morning he started vomiting and a scan revealed that he had air bubbles, which is creating more complications. The air bubbles are trapped and are creating more complications and he is under close observation being monitored for emergency surgery,” Elder said.
“He has a collapsed left lung. He is still on drips. He has a Hemothorax, where blood is trapped between the lungs and chest wall, and as a result, he has a chest drain or tube in place and is still draining blood. He also has a Diaphragmatic rupture…his diaphragm is ruptured. His organs are damaged and displaced and he may have to undergo surgery for that.
“I’m trying to be strong…it is hard for all of us as we are a close-knit family but we have come together and keeping each other. S
“o far, we thank the hospital staff for the dedication they are showing and great care they are giving to my cousin.”
She said that it was only on Thursday afternoon that the family told Pierre his aunt had died. “That news caused him to become very distress and agitated and it caused further respiratory problems too as he was crying uncontrollably.”
Elder said, unfortunately, Pierre will have to miss his beloved aunt’s funeral which is carded for today at 2 pm at the Faith Assembly Church in Lopinot.
Elder said she has received several calls from different officers in the T&T Defence Force (TTDF) and the T&T Regiment (TTR), as well as a letter of condolence that was delivered to her Chambers.
“Whilst we appreciate this…it provides little or no comfort. The family do not want any financial assistance from the TTR for funeral expenses.”
Investigations are continuing.
Flashback
A 37-second video captured on a CCTV camera showed that around 12.28 pm on Monday Pierre stopped at the intersection at the PBR in Tunapuna, near Mahabir Supermarket. When the light turned green Pierre was seen driving across the intersection slowly when the TTR truck that was proceeding East failed to stop and slammed into the front passenger side, pushing the vehicle in an easterly direction along the PBR. At the scene of the crash, part of the truck’s massive bumper was seen on top of the crushed vehicle that pinned Sandy’s body in the mangled wreck. Fire officers with the hydraulic cutter, also known as the Jaws of Life, freed Pierre and Sandy’s body from the wreckage.