Beloved 71-y-o killed in Easter Monday traffic incident

A 71-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle on Easter Monday had initially planned to spend the holidays with family in St Elizabeth, but a last-minute decision to go to work instead ended in tragedy.

Ikodel Wright, a beloved janitor and mother of two sons from Berwick Road in St Andrew, had promised her granddaughter, Shantel Williams, that she would visit after the holidays.

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But just before 6:30 a.m. on Easter Monday, Wright – affectionately known as ‘Miss Bev’ – was struck by a minibus while walking along the roadway in Cross Roads, St Andrew. She was rushed to the hospital by police, but was later pronounced dead.

Her family and neighbours are devastated by the sudden loss. They described Miss Bev as humble, kind, hardworking, and deeply rooted in her church.

Williams, who lived with her along with three children, said the family is struggling to cope.

“She was the breadwinner, the peacemaker. Everybody could count on her for anything. Just before I went to the country, she sent bun and cheese money for the family,” Williams said.

“She always brought the family together. She was the head. She was the one everyone called for help and advice.”

Williams also mentioned that Miss Bev played an active role in raising her grandchildren, often washing their clothes and taking them to and from school. She was supposed to travel to the country with the family on Saturday, but changed her mind, saying she needed to work on Easter Monday.

Georgia Wilson, Miss Bev’s daughter and Shantel’s mother, broke down in tears while recalling their last moments together when The Gleaner visited the home.

SHOCKING NEWS

“She helped me cook some pork on Sunday, told me what to put in it before going to church. When her son called and give me the news Monday morning, I was shocked. I thought Miss Bev deh a har house.

“Miss Bev can’t be dead. Car hit down Miss Bev for nothing at all? No, a nuh Miss Bev – a somebody else. Miss Bev can’t be dead!” she cried out before walking away and wailing.

Wilson also said Miss Bev had told both her and their landlord she wouldn’t go to work until Tuesday, but later insisted, “Mi affi go clean up the place.”

Sharlene, a neighbour and close friend, described Wright as quiet and gentle.

“Sometimes she was here and you didn’t even know. I’m going to miss our regular conversations,” she said, adding that she is heartbroken.

Sharlene recalled complimenting her friend on Sunday, not knowing it would be the last time she saw her.

“She was looking so lovely,” she said.

Another neighbour, Aretha, also remembered fixing Wright’s wig on Sunday before church and complimenting her on how beautiful she looked in her blue and white floral dress.

“It’s just a tragedy, all now me caa believe,” she said. “She nuh deserve dis. If she did sick and pass off, mi would a feel better.”

Chris, a taxi driver who also lived in the same yard, said her death “hit his nerves”.

He said he would miss their regular morning chats, noting that she would get up early like him and they would both race to the bathroom.

Like the others, Chris said he knew Miss Bev to be a cautious road user and is hoping the police will utilise CCTV footage to bring the responsible motorist to justice.

The Cross Roads police are investigating, but could not confirm yesterday whether the person responsible has been identified.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com

 

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline attached to an earlier version of this article indicated that the incident was a hit and run. The Gleaner was subsequently informed that the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident remained on the scene until police arrived to take the victim to hospital)