Deputy Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus, on Thursday, announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would be paying for the wake and funeral of 12-year-old Kayla Barnabas, who was struck down and killed by a police pickup on Wednesday.
Brutus, who is performing the duties of Commissioner of Police, visited the grieving family. He assured the family that a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the accident has commenced.
He was accompanied by the Divisional Commander, Head of the Community Relations Arm of the Force, among others.
A West Demerara Secondary School student, Barnabas, was struck down at about 15:45h by a police pickup bearing registration number GXX 6575 at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
MTV News Update previously reported that the motor vehicle was proceeding south along the eastern side of the road when it was alleged that the schoolgirl ran from east to west across the road and into the pickup's path.
However, Kayla's mother, Somatee Lildar- Barnabas, told our team that she does not believe the version of events recounted by the GPF.
According to the grieving mother, "I always warn (her) daughter to be careful on the road."
An eyewitness who was on the scene and opted to remain anonymous also claimed that Kayla was standing at the pedestrian crossing when a car stopped and the driver put on his hazard lights to let her cross the road.
The eyewitness alleged that the police vehicle, which was speeding, overtook the halted vehicle and struck down the girl as she attempted to cross the road. Kayla has been described as a fun, loving, and intelligent girl.
