Left: Carlene White, mother of Daniel White, fights back tears as she reflects on the life of her son, who was fatally hit by a motor vehicle along the Bogue main road on Monday. Right: Lawrence White is still in shock after the death of his son. - photos by Tashieka Mair

WESTERN BUREAU:

The family of the 10-year-old boy who was fatally struck down by a motor vehicle on the Bogue main road in Montego Bay, St James, on Monday, is disputing the circumstances under which the youngster reportedly lost his life.

Police reports state that Daniel White was hit about 3:15 p.m. by a 1990 Suzuki Grand Vitara motor car, as he attempted to the cross the busy thoroughfare.

However, his mother Carlene White said she was told otherwise by her sister and daughter, with whom Daniel was selling guineps on the day he was killed.

When The Gleaner visited Whites in Bogue Hill, St James, yesterday, White contended that her son was struck down as he stood on the side of the road - looking at crabs in a drain. She refused to believe that he was struck while crossing the street, as he was always quite careful when doing so.

Careful pedestrian

"Whenever we go to sell guineps and he's finished selling, he would go down to the drain to look at the crabs and he never walk in the road. He's always on the bank of the road and, if he has to cross the road to sell the guineps, he would stand, look up and down the road and when him see that no vehicle coming him cross," she said. "I always notice that about him."

Expressing her resentment towards the person said to be responsible for Daniel's death, she said that she has not been able to have a word with him since the incident.

White said the police have refused to give her access to the driver as they are concerned that her anger might cause her to attack the man.

White was at work and her common-law husband, Lawrence White, was at a shop when they received news that Daniel had been taken to the hospital. He died before they arrived at the facility.

She said her son - the second of five children - volunteered to sell guineps to assist her to buy back-to-school supplies.

The couple fought back the tears as they spoke about Daniel, who was affectionately called 'Ratty', and his dreams to become successful so he could help his parents.

They described him as jovial, helpful, and said he loved to shoot birds and play marbles.

"Him always tell mi seh when him leave school him a go buy a car and drive me to work. Bwoy, mi cyan believe," his father said in disbelief.

White said Daniel, who was a student at the Ramble Hill Primary School in St James, was never certain about his career goals but would always talk about being a policeman, soldier or doctor.

"There are times when he and I are here alone and he would talk. He would think that I'm not listening but I was hearing everything he said," White recalled.

"He said him want to build a house and buy a car and help his mother and father, grandmother and him sister dem."

tashieka.mair@gleanerjm.com