Grande man 2021’s first road traffic fatality

A 29-year-old Sangre Grande man is the nation’s first road fatality for 2021.

He was identified as Roderick Dedier, of Cedarwood Drive, North-Eastern Settlement, Sangre Grande.

Police said he was driving north on the Ojoe Road when he collided head-on with a white Hyundai Tuscon, driven by a 51-year-old man of Ojoe Road, going in the opposite direction.

Dedier was taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital but died. The driver of the Tuscon fled the scene and did not make a report.

An autopsy is expected to be done on Dedier’s body next week.

In a release, the police advised there would be an increase in police exercises on the road in the coming days.

“Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has instructed all divisional traffic and highway patrol units to conduct DUI and speed enforcement exercises as the TTPS aims to prevent any loss of life or injury to unsafe and irresponsible road usage,” the release said.

Police road safety project co-ordinator Sgt Brent Batson said officers would be patrolling to help save lives and keep families together.

“Drivers and passengers need to do their part by wearing their seatbelts and face masks, obeying the speed limit and keeping alert,” Batson said.

The number of fatal road traffic accidents for 2020 was 94.