An early morning car accident in Chase Village on Monday has left one soldier dead and another warded in hospital with serious injuries. According to reports, around 9.30 am, Junior La Barrie, of Waterloo Road, Carapichaima, and his colleague Christian John, of Erin, South Trinidad, were driving south along the Solomon Hochoy Highway, Chase Village. Both men, who were assigned to the First Infantry Battalion, were returning home from work from the Regiment’s Camp Ogden base, Long Circular Road, St James.
Police said a white Nissan Almera, which was driving in the north-bound lane, made an illegal turn in a police surveillance bay and collided with the soldiers’ Nissan Tiida. The two soldiers, as well as the three occupants of the Almera, were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex for treatment. La Barrie died while undergoing emergency surgery while John and a passenger in the Almera, Narissa Seeharack, of Claxton Bay, remained warded in hospital up to late yesterday.
The 16-year-old driver of the Almera and his other passenger sustained minor injuries and were discharged on Monday afternoon. The teenager was then arrested by Cpl Ronnie Gopaul of the Freeport Police Station, who charged him for driving without a driver’s permit and insurance as well as for driving dangerously. Police said the teen may be slapped with an additional charge for causing La Barrie’s death by dangerous driving as investigations into the accident continue.
The teenager, also of Claxton Bay, appeared in the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning to answer the charges. He pleaded guilty to all three charges and was denied bail until his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for March 12.