[Updated] Vendor killed, three injured as car ploughs into stall in California

THE driver who ploughed into two female vendors, killing one on Thursday afternoon, near the Point Lisas Roundabout, California, said he was returning home after a dialysis session when he blacked out and lost control of the vehicle.

He crashed into the stall occupied by two women, Prematee Laltoo of Railway Road, California, and her friend Adana Bain. The women were selling oranges. The impact pushed them several feet into a wired fence, causing Laltoo’s instant death.

Both of Bain's legs were broken and she had several other injuries.

She was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) where she underwent emergency surgery and was warded. Bain’s son Hakeem was also at the stall but reportedly saw the vehicle coming and jumped out of the way.

The driver of the black Suzuki Vitara and his father, who was seated in the back seat and is also a dialysis patient, an amputee and vision impaired, had to be taken out of the mangled wreck by fire officers as the vehicle was tangled in fencing wire and posts.

Both were taken to the Couva Health Facility for minor injuries. They were treated and discharged.

Laltoo’s body was viewed by DMO Dr Ravi Gosine and ordered removed to the mortuary of the SFGH.

The first responders were PC Khan and PC Mc Alister of the Couva police station.
Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh told Newsday all the people involved in the unfortunate incident are his constituents and well known by him.

He said the issue of vending on the highways and byways must be addressed. He noted that while it is a sign of poverty and unemployment, he said people are risking their lives and endangering drivers and commuters when they vend in these public spaces.

“It’s very unfortunate what transpired. People are risking their lives to make an honest and legal living, selling from water to fruits and vegetables and even migrants are now selling plantain chips on the highway to care for their family.”

At the same time, Indarsingh said, “There continues to be a need for people behind the wheel to exercise caution.”

The road death figure for 2024 stands sat 14.

This story was originally published with the title "Vendor killed, three injured as car ploughs into stall in California" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

ONE woman was killed and several others injured when a vehicle ran out of control and ploughed into them at Southern Main Road, California, near Gilbert Park, on Thursday.

The dead woman has been identified as Prematee Laltoo, a vendor of Railway Road, California.

Reports said shortly after 1 pm on Thursday, Laltoo, her boyfriend Hakeem Bain and Bain’s mother, Alana Bain, were at their stall near the National Energy Skills Centre (NESC), when a black Suzuki Vitara crashed into it.

Laltoo died on the spot. Emergency medical technicians responded and tried to resuscitate her.

Alana Bain and the driver, a prison officer, and his brother, who was a front-seat passenger, were all injured and taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, where they were given emergency treatment.