Infant, two women injured as car crashes into house
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — A four year old, her 23 year-old mother and 61 year old grandmother were injured early yesterday morning after a car crashed through the piazza of a shop, barreled through one wall of their wooden house and then lodged in their bedroom as they slept.
All three sought medical treatment at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, where four year old Shania Sullivan was treated for a mild concussion, and released. Her grandmother, Inez Flemming, was also released after being treated for minor injuries, but 23 year old Tracy-Ann Brown, who received injuries to her back and chest, was admitted for observation.
The 20 x 12 wooden structure, which is owned by 61 year old Inez Flemming, was totally destroyed, along with most its contents. Losses have been placed at $400,000; but yesterday morning the occupants of the damaged house were just happy to be alive.
Brown explained that they were jolted out of a sound sleep to find a car near the head of their bed and their belongings in shambles.
The driver of the Toyota Corolla, 21 year-old Jermaine Stephenson, admitted to the police that he was speeding when he lost control of the vehicle as he was on his way to pick up a sick child. The unemployed resident of Little London added that he ran off the road as he attempted to negotiate a mild S curve with the vehicle, which has “Problem Child” stenciled across the top of its windscreen.
A businessman, who only gave his name as “Barry”, told the Observer that he had just closed his shop and was enjoying a piece of fried saltfish when he heard the speeding car coming.
“Me hear a sound like the car get out of control and then me hear the crash,” he reported.
In the wake of the incident, the Little London police have appealed to motorists who use the Savanna-la-Mar to Negril road to stay within the speed limit. They contend that most of the accidents that have occurred in that area could have been avoided if drivers had not been speeding.