RADHICA DE SILVA &
KAYMARIE FLETCHER
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident along the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Freeport yesterday morning, was expected to surrender to police last night.
This after police impounded a black Hyundai Ioniq believed to have been driven by the suspect following a manhunt that lasted several hours.
The horrific crash killed Neil Ballai, 55, of Eccles Trace Spring Village, Valsayn, and injured his coworker Terrence Jagasar, 34, of Cumuto Main Road, Cumuto. Both men were employed with the Kiss Baking Company.
The accident was captured on a dashcam by a driver who was behind the vehicles and went viral almost immediately after being shared via X.
The driver of the Ioniq, who struck Ballai’s van, forcing it to veer and crash off the southbound carriageway of the highway, never stopped. His callous actions triggered an outpouring of disgust and anger among social media users who saw the video.
Investigators said at 6.45 am, Ballai, was driving the Kiss van in company with Jagasar south along the highway when, upon reaching opposite the Ato Boldon Stadium, a black Hyundai Ioniq car came speeding down the highway and attempted to overtake them in the left lane.
The speeding vehicle attempted to overtake vehicles in the right lane and in doing so, clipped the rear of the Kiss truck. The truck veered off the roadway and landed on the driver’s side, pinning Ballai under the wreckage. He died on the spot.
The driver of the Ioniq kept going and never stopped to assist Ballai and Jagasar.
Ballai’s body was viewed by the District Medical Officer, Dr Gosine. Jagasar sustained injuries and was attended to by Emergency Health Services personnel before being transported to the Couva Health Facility for further medical treatment.
Officers from the Freeport Highway Patrol Unit, including WPC Brown, PC Francis and PC Clarke, responded to the scene, alongside personnel from the Couva Police Station.
Officers from the Couva Fire Department also visited the scene.
Ballai’s body was sent to the Forensic Science Centre where an autopsy is scheduled. The Isuzu truck involved in the accident was conveyed to the Couva Police Station for further examination.
At the family’s home in Valsayn last evening, Ballai’s relatives were distraught as they prepared for his wake.
His cousin Shoma Ragoonanan said: “This is the time he would return home from work. The entire family is numb at this point. We were on-site and had to view the scene. We are still numb. It’s such a shock. Neil left early this morning. We are waiting for him to come home, and we know he will not be coming home.”
Asked how they felt about the hit-and-run tragedy, Ragoonanan said: “The family cannot accept this. It was senseless, totally ridiculous, and not called for. Why was this person speeding? Why did this happen to us?”
She described Ballai as one of the most careful drivers.
“His wife has motion sickness, so he drives carefully on the road. For this to happen to us, it is not acceptable at all,” Ragoonanan said.
Ballai, she said, worked at Kiss for 17 years.
Asked whether the company had reached out to them, Ragoonanan said: “The general manager and district manager were on site comforting the family. They have reached out and they are here for us.”
She also said the dashcam video had left them troubled.
“I am angry seeing that video. You should have taken your time,” Ragoonanan said, her vice trembling with emotion.
Also speaking to Guardian Media last night, TTPS Road Safety Coordinator Brent Batson confirmed that the Iconic had been impounded. He said the 30-year-old driver was also contacted and was expected to surrender to police.
Batson commended the driver whose dashcam video footage assisted the police in solving the case.
Asked about the importance of dashcams, Batson said: “We are in support of drivers investing in front and rear dash cams. It will assist police in confirming a report and it may help if they manage to capture criminal activity. We definitely support people investing in personal dashcams and feeding information to the police so we can have better and accurate information to proceed with investigations.”
Batson also urged motorists to exercise care on the road and to report all accidents.
Also contacted for comment Kiss Baking Company general manager Sunelle Boodram said the company will not be issuing any media statements about the incident.
When asked about Ballai’s track record at the company, Boodram said: “We will not be issuing anything out of respect for the family. We are liaising with the family and we will keep our communication with them so I really cannot say anything.”