Tragic news has struck the community of Hasswell Port Mourant as 18-year-old Jainarine Rampersaud of Lot 233 Area R Haswell, Port Mourant, Corentyne, died earlier today, 12 days after an incident on October 27 in which he was chased and struck down by an angry driver on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.
The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024, when Rampersaud was riding motorcycle #CN 9498 with his 15-year-old pillion rider, Stephan Veerapen. The pursuing driver, identified as 24-year-old Shakir Batson of Lot 113 New Market Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was driving motorcar #PAG 6823.
According to police reports, motorcar #PAG 6823 was initially traveling west along the Nigg Public Road at a normal rate when motorcycle #CN 9498, moving in the same direction at a high speed, lost control and collided with the right rear side of the car. Although the collision caused damage to the car, Rampersaud reportedly overtook the vehicle and continued westward.
Batson then allegedly gave chase, leading to a high-speed pursuit down the Nigg Public Road. When Rampersaud turned north onto an access road in Hampshire Village, Berbice, the chase continued. Moments later, the motorcar reportedly struck the rear of the motorcycle, causing both Rampersaud and Veerapen to lose control and fall to the ground, sustaining injuries.
Both young men were picked up by Batson and transported to the Port Mourant Public Hospital. After being medically examined, Veerapen was kept under observation before being transferred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital the following morning. Rampersaud, who suffered severe injuries, including a fractured jaw, syncope, and facial trauma, was also transferred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital. He was later referred to Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment, where his condition was listed as critical since he was in a coma and never regained consciousness.
The incident was reported to the police at 10:05 p.m. on October 27. Batson, who was taken into custody at Whim Police Station, submitted to a breathalyzer test, which returned a reading of zero. A breathalyzer test was not administered to Rampersaud due to his medical condition.
Both vehicles involved in the incident have been lodged for examination by a Licensing and Certifying Officer. Police continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the chase and subsequent collision.
