Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
A pregnant woman was killed and 11 other persons seriously injured in an accident involving three motor vehicles, along the Pepper main road in St. Elizabeth yesterday.
The woman has been identified as 42-year-old Veryle Kerlew, of Braes River, St. Elizabeth. It is reported that Ms. Kerlew was in an advanced state of pregnancy and had visited the hospital earlier in the morning. She reportedly left the hospital to buy some goods to return when she met in the accident, which also claimed her unborn child.
According to reports, about 11:40 a.m. yesterday, two vehicles, a Mitsubishi Montero SUV driven by Andrew Cordwell, and a Toyota Camry used as a taxi and driven by Odell Edwards, were proceeding along the Pepper main road towards Mandeville.
Another taxi (Toyota Corolla), driven by Rohan Ward, was travelling from Gutters when it collided with the other two. Scores of persons converged on the scene and Ms. Kerlew was carried to Mandeville Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Ten of the survivors were taken to the same hospital, where they received treatment. The driver of the Mitsubishi, who had no visible injuries, was taken to the Mandeville Police Station where he underwent a breathalyster test before being allowed to seek medical attention. Up to press time, seven persons, including the other two drivers, were reported in critical condition.
"The Mitsubishi Montero was travelling behind the Camry when the Corolla station wagon moved over to the right and went into the path of the Camry where it collided," said Inspector Claude Smith, investigating officer attached to the Santa Cruz Police Station.
Inspector Smith told The Gleaner that the youngest survivor of the accident was a 14-month-old child, who sustained a broken leg.
