Maycocks, family mourn victim in fatal accident

Maycocks, St Lucy, was Tuesday mourning the death of Jodi Sealy, 32, a pedestrian who was knocked down when two vehicles crashed at the junction of Maycocks Road and Maycocks Terrace.

The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. when a truck travelling along Maycocks Road collided with a van exiting Maycocks Terrace, police said. The truck spun and struck two pedestrians, killing Sealy on the spot and injuring the second pedestrian who was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.

Relatives and friends were left struggling to come to terms with Sealy’s death.

Her father, O’Brien Scantlebury, described her as “a helpful, fun loving person” and said others in the village could attest to her character.

“Jodi definitely was a positive young lady,” he said.

Sealy’s brother Joshua Scantlebury said the news had come as a shock, particularly because he had recently seen and spoken with his sister.

“She was a fun-loving sister,” he said. “She called me every day, gave me advice.”

He said that after receiving the call about his sister’s accident he was in disbelief as he tried taking comfort in believing that his sister was in a better place.

Her cousin Lisa Hinds also remembered Sealy as someone who was caring, hardworking and easy to talk to.

“Jodi was a nice caring person, someone you can talk to about anything,” she said.

“She never get into any dramatic things or anything like that, as I would say, and she was very hardworking. She liked to work.”

Friend Josshay Donnea said Sealy’s death was particularly painful because she had been a familiar face in the community for years.

Josshay Donnea. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

Donnea said she had known Sealy since their school days.

She also raised concerns about the condition of the area where Sealy lost her life, saying she had regularly seen the roadside vegetation become overgrown.

“From the time I was going to school at Leacock’s Private School as a little girl, this bush has been like this,” she said.

“As soon as it starts to get too far in the road, then it just get cut. But other than that, certain parts, the same way it’s right now is how it usually is until it gets very, very wild.”

Donnea said she did not believe it should have taken a fatal accident for concerns about the area to receive attention.

“This should have been dealt with ever since,” she said. “Not now. It shouldn’t take my friend standing at the bus stop on her way to work, losing her life like this.”

She declared: “This is ridiculous.”

Resident Sherry-Ann Boyce also raised concerns about the trees and vegetation along the roadway.

Sherry-Ann Boyce. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

“These trees were planted here. They’re overgrown from here straight up, and they need something done about it because this is not good enough,” she said.

Boyce said the conditions were particularly concerning for people waiting at the bus stop.

“It’s not safe enough with these trees,” she added. “You see from that corner straight up, straight up….They really need to do something about this area.” 

St Lucy MP Peter Phillips visited the scene Tuesday morning and offered condolences to Sealy’s family and the wider community.

Member of Parliament for St Lucy, Peter Phillips. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

Phillips said he had come to the area before heading to Parliament because he felt he needed to be with the family during what he described as “a very difficult moment”.

“Anyone who loses a loved one, particularly in a vehicular accident, that is just such a tragic happening because you’re snatched away from your family, your friends, your community in the twinkling of an eye,” he said.

He said he intended to return to spend more time with the family.

“I want again to express my condolences to the family and the community at large,” Phillips said.

Inspector Ryan Brathwaite urged motorists to take greater care on the island’s roads.

“Your vehicle can become a weapon,” he said. “We need you to comply with the speed limits.”

Inspector Brathwaite said motorists who obey speed limits have more time to react when unexpected situations occur.

“If you comply with the speed limit, it gives you time to adjust when something else occurs in front of you,” he said, urging motorists to obey traffic signals, stop signs and road markings.

“Come on Barbados. Let’s drive smart and arrive safely,” he said.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Crab Hill Police Station at 310-7700. 

(LE)