By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly news |
CORNELIA IDA, WEST COAST DEMERARA — The grim tally of road fatalities in Guyana continued to rise on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after a 64-year-old man was killed in a horrific collision with a motor lorry. The victim has been identified as Roy Chanka, a resident of Cornelia Ida, who was known in his community as a peaceful and quiet individual.
The accident has once again brought the safety of electric cycle users into sharp focus as the government struggles to regulate the rapidly growing number of light electric vehicles on the nation’s high-traffic corridors.
The Details of the Collision
The accident occurred shortly before 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of the Cornelia Ida Public Road and the Cornelia Ida Access Road.
- The Involved Parties: The collision involved motor lorry GAD 7032, driven by a 42-year-old resident of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, and Chanka’s electric cycle.
- The Sequence of Events: Both the truck and the cycle were traveling west along the southern side of the road. As the lorry attempted to make a left turn south into the access road, the front left wheel struck the cycle.
- The Impact: Chanka was thrown from his cycle and onto the pavement, sustaining massive injuries that proved fatal at the scene.
Investigation and Evidence
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) arrived on the scene shortly after the collision and has already made significant progress in the investigation.
- CCTV Review: Investigators have obtained and reviewed CCTV footage from nearby businesses. The footage reportedly captures the moment of impact and will be a critical piece of evidence in determining if the driver signaled or if the cyclist was in a blind spot.
- Breathalyzer Test: The 42-year-old lorry driver was subjected to a breathalyzer test at the scene. The result showed 0.0% alcohol in his system.
- Custody Status: Despite being sober at the time of the crash, the driver remains in police custody assisting with the ongoing probe into “Death by Dangerous Driving.”
A Family in Mourning
For the family of Roy Chanka, the news came as a sudden and devastating shock. His granddaughter told reporters that the family learned of the tragedy via a frantic phone call. She described him as a “very peaceful” man who was well-liked by his neighbors.
Chanka’s body is currently at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
The “Electric Cycle” Debate
This fatality adds to a growing list of accidents involving electric cycles in Guyana. While these vehicles offer an affordable transport alternative, safety experts note that they often operate in a “legal grey area” regarding lane discipline and safety gear. The GPF has recently used its Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) to monitor such vehicles, but the lack of physical protection for riders remains a major concern during collisions with heavy-duty vehicles.
