Brothers orphaned as parents killed in hit-and-run accident

One minute nine-year-old Brandon Roopnarine and his five-year-old brother Darrion were running excitedly to their home ahead of their parents on the grassy verge of the Penal Rock Road. The next minute their joy was shattered by two loud bangs as they spun around to see the lifeless bodies of their parents Khemchan Roopnarine, 38, and 36-year-old Patricia Ali on the ground a few feet off the roadway. They were bleeding profusely. The boys screamed out, “Look Mammy and Daddy get bounce down” as relatives rushed out to see what was the cause of the commotion.

The tragedy unfolded shortly after 10pm on Sunday when Roopnarine - a construction worker, and Ali -  a domestic worker and the boys were returning from a family lime a few houses away.

Ali was walking a few steps ahead of Roopnarine on the dark roadway (the street light having not been repaired for months despite numerous complaints ) when suddenly relatives heard two loud bangs in rapid succession and saw a white hatchback Tiida vehicle swerving on the roadway. The relatives said they were unable to see the registration number of the vehicle because of the poor lighting conditions.

Anxious relatives ran out of their homes to see Roopnarine and Ali on the ground. Roopnarine, who was bleeding from his head and nose, was already dead while Ali, who appeared to be severely battered, took her last breath.

Roopnarine’s cousin Radesh Seepersad and his wife Vanessa were the first on the scene as the accident happened in front their home.

Seepersad described his cousin and his wife as “really nice people.” He said he and Roopnarine grew up like brothers and they were supposed to start a new job on Monday.

He said the deaths have affected the community deeply.

Vanessa called for the street lights to be repaired and for pavements to be constructed to make the area safer for residents.

Roopnarine’s brother Ramesh said their father died one year ago from a massive heart attack.

He assured his nephews will be well taken care off by relatives.

Police said late yesterday evening, they detained a 44-year-old woman of Penal Rock Road who is assisting them in their investigations. For the year thus far, 98 people have been killed in road traffic accidents.