Three women were killed in a road traffic accident in Tobago yesterday morning.
They were identified as Makeda Fraser, of Bon Accord; Aliyah Williams, of Bon Accord and Castara; and Patrice Judy Webb, of Upper St Francois Valley Road, Belmont, Trinidad.
The accident occurred along Shirvan Road, near Le Grand Courland resort at Black Rock.
Around 2.54 a.m., a white Nissan Latio driven by Defence Force officer Dejorn Dookie, with three other occupants, travelling south along Shirvan Road, collided with a silver Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Kino Kerr, with one passenger, proceeding in the opposite direction.
Makeda Fraser
Three men were taken to the Scarborough General Hospital—Dookie, Kerr and Ricardo Toussaint—all with serious injuries.
Williams, 20, Fraser, 23, both occupants of the Latio, and Webb—who was in the other car—died at the scene.
Nine people have died in fatal road accidents in Tobago for the year.
Aliyah Williams
Williams’ father, Philbert Williams, told the Sunday Express yesterday his daughter was on her way home when tragedy struck.
“I want to say to all and each and everyone, be very careful on this road because the Carnival season around, the spirit is around to take what they want to take, and I believe we should be cautioned on the roads because that death did not call for.
“Three families, including mine, hurting. Aliyah did not deserve to die like that,” Philbert Williams said.
He remembered his daughter always made him laugh and also gave him haircuts. “Aliyah was my hairdresser…if I wanted my hair done, she did it. She was good at it,” Williams said.
The grandmother of Makeda Fraser, Joyce Forbes, said her daughter explained to her how the accident occurred.
She said it was Makeda’s dream to be a nurse.
“She went with her friends in something and when she was coming home, she was near home when she get in the accident with this other car face-to-face, and she was pinned in the car and she hit her head.
Patrice Judy Webb
“Such is life, but I did not expect this at all. I grow her up from two years old. Aliyah told me she wanted to be a nurse, and I told her aim for it,” Forbes said.
‘Control your speed’
Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero yesterday extended condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the accident. “Although at this time we are unable to say what caused this fatal accident, I want to take this opportunity to appeal to all road users, to practise being vigilant on the roadways, to pay more attention to the roadways.
“Remember you are not only driving for yourself, you are driving for those in your care and for the other drivers on the roadway,” he said.
He advised that people should avoid driving under the influence, and plan ahead by designating a driver or using alternative transportation if consuming alcohol.
“Control your speed: it’s crucial to prioritise safety over speed—arriving safely is more important than rushing.
“Rest when needed—fatigue can be deadly. If you’re sleepy, find a safe place to rest, contact someone to come for you.
“Adapt to weather conditions. If visibility is impaired due to weather, pull over until it’s safe to continue,” he told the Sunday Express.
“As we are approaching the Carnival season in Tobago and there are going to be a lot of activities throughout the island, that involves many factors—such as long days, late nights, early mornings, alcohol, etc. I want to plead with members of the public to please be vigilant and take all necessary precautions on the roadways.”
In light of the upcoming Carnival festivities, “the public can rest assured that law enforcement will be actively ensuring road safety, and compliance of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago,” Subero added.