Suspected driver in double hit and run released

From left, Brandon Roopnarine, 9, and his brother Darrion, 5.
From left, Brandon Roopnarine, 9, and his brother Darrion, 5.

The suspected driver of the hit-and-run accident which claimed the lives of a Penal couple was expected to walk out of the Penal Police Station yesterday without any charges, pending further investigations.

Yesterday, police said the 35-year-old labourer from Penal gave statements to police in relation to his whereabouts on the night of the fatalities. Investigations in the killings of Khemchan “Darren” Roopnarine, 38, and his common law wife, Patricia “Cindy” Ali, 35, will continue as files would soon be sent to the office of Director of Public Prosecutions for instructions, police assured.

On November 5, Roopnarine and Ali were killed in a hit-and-run accident near the family’s home at Penal Rock Road, Aquart Village, Penal. At the time, the couple was walking along the road in company with their children – five-year-old Darrion and his nine-year-old brother Brandon (Roopnarine’s son from a previous relationship).

The young siblings were a short distance ahead, so when a silver Nissan Tiida struck the couple from behind, the two escaped unhurt. On impact, both adults died instantly, and the children witnessed the bodies on the roadside as the driver of the car sped off.

On Wednesday, the suspected driver, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered to Penal police. Sgt Ramsaran of the Penal Police Station is continuing investigations. The siblings both attended the Penal Presbyterian School but, some days ago, the elder brother went to live with his mother in Fyzabad and now attends the Fyzabad Presbyterian School.

Orphaned, Darrion continues to live with relatives in Penal where he has been living since birth. Plans are being made for him to relocate to Rio Claro to live with other relatives although some family members believe he should remain in Penal. Roopnarine’s cousin Seudath Roopnarine said Darrion attended classes for the week.

“My children go to the same school, so he has company and around children he is accustomed to. He has to be around company. The teachers are aware of the situation, so they are giving him some special attention too.”

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