The woman who was knocked down and killed Monday morning crossing the Eastern Main Road, Champs Fleurs, has been identified as Cheryl John.
John’s body was identified by her son-in-law at the Maloney Police Station on Monday. The man, a police officer, saw a photograph of his mother-in-law and was able to confirm her identity.
According to John’s estranged husband, Wilfred Arrendell, the mother of six was supposed to report to work on Monday morning but calls to her phone went unanswered.
Relatives went to the St Joseph Police Station and were told that there was an accident in the area, but the family was unable to view the body as the mortuary department at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex was already closed.
John, a geriatric nurse, had celebrated her 54th birthday on Sunday. Arrendell said John was a private woman who did not have a grand celebration for her birthday.
John was knocked down around 6.30 am, police said. The driver was heading west along the road when he collided with John. The driver was questioned and later released.
A report said around 7 am, the victim was attempting to cross the Eastern Main Road when the driver collided with John.
Eyewitnesses said the victim was thrown several feet in the air. She died on the spot.
In an interview, Police Constable Brent Batson, coordinator of the police road safety project, said the woman’s death was the 71st for the year compared with 83 road fatalities last year.
“Altogether we have seen a reduction in road deaths compared to 2016. The TTPS continues to express great concern with the reckless driving displayed on the road. Even with the number of traffic tickets issued by officers some drivers are engaging in very dangerous practices that have resulted in preventable tragedies,” he said.
Batson said in the past three days there were three road deaths which included Ryun Crawford, 18, who was driving a Mercedes Benz sedan, considered one of the safest car in the world. In the case of the four-year-old child killed in Monday’s Valencia Stretch crash, initial reports suggest the victim, Lexie Baptiste, was not in a child safety seat.