Police investigating Nanda Gopal road accident

Georgetown – According to the police today, the road accident involving motor vehicles PLL 6180 driven by Mr. Nanda Gopaulof the Office of the President and PHH 8194 owned by Mr. Colin Loncke of Stanley Place, Kitty, which occurred at about 20:30pm. on Friday March 11, 2011, on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, an investigation has been launched.

The police said, Mr. Nanda Gopaul was proceeding east along the northern side of the roadway and collided with the rear of motor vehicle PHH 8194 which was parked on the northern side of the road in the vicinity of the Guyana Legion Building.

The collision resulted in injuries to Ms. Jennifer Loncke who was in the process of entering PHH 8194 and Dwayne Blair of Drysdale Street, Charlestown, who was seated in the vehicle, and also damage to both vehicles.

A report was made to the police and traffic ranks were dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival it was found that Ms. Jennifer Loncke had already left for the hospital and her husband Colin Loncke informed the ranks that he was about to go to the hospital to check on her condition.  He indicated that he would return to assist with the investigations and he was allowed to do so.

In the view of the investigating ranks at the scene Nanda Gopaul was not under the influence of alcohol and was allowed to drive his motor vehicle to the Brickdam Police Station, escorted by a rank who was in the vehicle with him.

At the Brickdam Police Station Nanda Gopaul was subjected to a breathalyzer test administered by an Inspector of Police, which proved negative. He was then questioned further about the accident and allowed to leave on his own recognisance and to return to the station the following day.

Later that evening Colin Loncke reported to the Brickdam Police Station and after giving information on the accident he also was allowed to leave to return the following day.

On the following day the police was informed by both Colin Loncke and Nanda Gopaul that they had agreed to a settlement and Colin Loncke gave a written statement in which he requested no further police action in the matter.

However the day after the accident, a media house reported that several persons including a senior pastor said Gopal’s statement was false and some persons at the scene claimed that he was smelling highly of an alcoholic substance and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

The Office of the President’s permanent secretary has since denied the allegations.