Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

The wreckage of the vehicle that was involved in a fatal accident along the Guanaboa Vale main road near Kitson Town, St. Catherine, on Tuesday night, is examined at the Spanish Police Station yesterday by Inspector Gervis Wilson. Four women were killed in the accident. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The Point Hill community in St. Catherine was filled with gloom yesterday following a motor vehicle crash that resulted in the deaths of four of its residents and the injuring of three others on Tuesday.

The Gleaner news team went into the Point Hill community yesterday and saw sombre faces as persons reflected on the deaths of senior citizen Inez Cameron, 71; 16-year-old student Sasha Wilson; Coleena White, 32-year-old labourer; and 37-year-old Lorraine Thomas of Duxes, Brown's Town and Mendez district, all in the Point Hill community.

At Ms. Cameron's home, persons were seen praying and Pastor Rudolph Cox described her as a benevolent person who had contributed personally to his family.

Similar sentiments

Her daughter, Rosalee Cameron, echoed similar sentiments as she was one of the last persons to have seen her mother leave for the Spanish Town market where she sold produce.

"I gave her the last cup of tea and was reflecting with her on how we went to church on Sunday and she did not get to come back home to us," Rosalee said. "All because of carelessness on the road. It is very hurtful."

The journey to Duxes was equally heart-rending. Along the road, several pieces of black cloth were nailed to utility poles as persons expressed their sadness over the passing of their loved ones.

"She did not come home for her dinner and I know that when I heard the news, something was wrong," said Estella Douglas, grandmother of 16-year-old Sasha Wilson, a student of Dinthill Technical High School, who was among the fatalities.

"I am yet to come to grips with the fact that she is dead. She can't be replaced," said Ms. Douglas' husband and Sasha's grandfather, Linton.

Fighting for words

Nearby, the family of Lorraine Thomas, a hairdresser by profession, milled around the house, fighting for words to express their grief over her passing. She has left three children behind, ages 14 to 22. Her son Romario kept repeating, "She was my mother and father. I do not know what I will do." The family tried to console him, but he kept breaking down.

Coleena White, who worked at a pharmacy in Spanish Town, was lauded as a hard-working, ambitious young woman and, simply put, 'gone too soon'.

Her father Fitzroy White described his daughter as one in a million, while her mother, Sonia White, was ushered to a seat. She was simply too weak to speak.

Yesterday the driver of the vehicle which caused the misery was taken into custody by the police in Spanish Town, after he fled the scene of the accident.

( L - R ) Wilson, Thomas, White