A 19-year-old student and pundit, who was the son of a former ambassador and the nephew of Tertiary Education Minister Prof Prakash Persad, died in a road traffic accident on the Beetham Highway on Tuesday night.
Pundit Kavish Persad had also days ago received five grade ones in his CAPE (Ca�ribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) subjects.
He was the fourth person to be killed on the nations roads within 24 hours.
Police said that Persad, of Mahelal Street, Aranjuez, was driving a white Hyundai Ioniq motor car east along the highway when about 10 p.m., he attempted to overtake a brown Mitsubishi vehicle.
His car collided with the Mitsubishi and both spun out of control.
Persads vehicle struck the Beetham water main, became airborne and landed in a nearby waterway.
The Mitsubishi crashed onto a grassy area on the northern side of the highway.
Residents and passers-by pulled Persad from the wreckage and placed him on the embankment.
The police and paramedics were notified.
Persad died on the scene.
deadly crash: Beetham residents and police officers at the scene of the fatal accident off the Beetham Highway on Tuesday night, in which Persad lost his life.
First responder WPC Domingo-Mitchell of the Highway Patrol Unit attended the scene. Also present were ASP Mungro, Insp Jerry, and Sgt Maslier.
PC Valentine and PC Molli�neau are continuing enquiries.
Just one day earlier, his father, Pundit Maniedeo Persad, had posted congratulations to his son on his CAPE examination passes.
Congratulations to Pundit Kavish Veda Persad on his outstanding achievement 5 Grade I and One Grade II at Upper Six Cape exams June 2025. We are all very proud of your success. Congratulations, he wrote.
His personal page, as well as the SWAHA Sri Raam Dhaam page, showed interactions between father and son yesterday.
In 2023, Kavish Persad received grade ones in eight CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) subjects.
In 2019, he was recognised by the Ministry of Edu�cation as one of the top 200 students in the SEA (Secondary Entrance Assessment) examination.
Maniedeo Persad was a government senator and former T&T high commissioner to the Republic of India.
Kavish Persad was the grandson of the founder of SWAHA, the late Shankaracharya Pundit Hari Prasad and Chandrawti Prasad.
In a statement yesterday, SWAHA extended condolences to Persad, Shrimatee Rohini Persad and Kalyani Persad on the loss of their beloved son and brother, Pundit Kavish Veda Persad.
The Dharma Mandal, National Executive and all members and supporters of Swaha share in this loss of a wonderful and blessed young pundit. We ask that you extend your condolences and support to the members of the family.
Praise, sympathy for minister
Tertiary Education Minis�ter Prof Persad was also yesterday commended for his commitment to the job by newly appointed chairman of the board of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Prof Selwyn Cudjoe.
Persad and Cudjoe were the feature speakers yesterday morning as the Ministry of Energy handed over science resource kits for use in the primary and secondary school systems.
Speaking at a handing-�over ceremony at UTTs Endeavour, Chaguanas, facility, Cudjoe noted that Persad had attended the event in spite of the tragedy that hit his family earlier yesterday morning.
Extending condolences to the affected families, Cudjoe said Persads presence and address underscored his commitment to the job.
Persad later declined to speak with the media about the tragedy.
More condolences
Condolences also came from people online on social media.
One commenter posted, Trinidad and Tobago has lost yet another young man with a bright future last night. I am still in shock and disbelief at the passing of my colleague Kavish Persad.
Truly this is a grim remin�der for how short life can be and my thoughts are with his family. I encourage everyone to be there for each other in this time of grieving, for the loss of someone who truly made those around him happier.
Another posted, Sincere condolences to Pundit Maniedeo Persad and family on the loss of his brilliant blessed son Pundit Kavish. May God grant you all comfort courage and strength during this difficult time.
Pundit Satyanan Gosein posted, With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest condolences to Pt Maniedeo Persad, Shrimatee Rohini Persad, and Kalyani Persad on the passing of their beloved son and brother, Pundit Kavish Veda Persad. We pray to Bhagwan for the sadgati of his noble soul.
Man robbed while trying to help
A good Samaritan was robbed while assisting at the crash scene on Tuesday night.
The man said he had stopped to render aid about 10 p.m. after observing the accident.
While pulling a man from the wreckage, a group of men grabbed him from behind, dealt him several blows, and took $10,000, a Trinidad and Tobago identification card, and a bank card.
The men escaped into the Beetham Gardens area.
The police were notified and officers from the Besson Street Police Station respon�ded.
PC Valentine is continuing enquiries.
