Supply accident leaves girl, 12, left bedridden, unable to speak

An accident on the Supply Public Road in February has left a 12-year-old girl bedridden and unable to speak.

On February 13, Akazea Austin was struck down by a speeding car driven by a Linden taxi-driver while she was crossing the Supply Public Road on the East Bank of Demerara. She was rushed to the Diamond Public Hospital and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she was a patient for almost a month.

During most of her time at the GPHC, Austin was on life support but she soon regained consciousness. However, when she woke up, she failed recognize her parents.

Her father, William Mentos, told Sunday Stabroek yesterday that Austin was discharged two weeks ago. She is currently bed-ridden at her home in Supply. “She is still critical but she is fighting for her life,” Mentos said before explaining that Austin is suffering from “temporary” brain injury.

He added that Austin is not talking and had to be fed by a feeding tube but a few days ago she started eating through her mouth. He noted that it was about the same time that she began recognizing her family members.

For the family, the past few weeks were difficult. Austin’s mother needed to be by her daughter’s side every minute, which resulted in her losing her job. Mentos, who is a miner, said, even after the money ran out, he stayed home to help around the home.

Mentos then stated that although he knows that Austin’s mother still needs his help, the bills are piling up so he has to leave for the goldmines in order to get some money. “I don’ want to leave because it gon’ be so stressful for she (Austin’s mother) and it gon’ be very hard but the funds running out so I have to go to work,” he said.

According to police, Austin, a student of Diamond Secondary School, exited the school bus that she was travelling in while the bus driver signaled other drivers on the public road to stop so that the girl could cross the road. However, while crossing the street, Austin was hit from behind by a car, HC 7963, which was heading to Linden. She immediately lost consciousness and was rushed to the Diamond Public Hospital, from where she was later transferred to the GPHC. Investigations revealed that the 45-year-old taxi-driver of Linden was speeding and as a result it could not stop in time to avoid hitting the girl. The driver has since been charged with dangerous driving and released on $100,000 bail.