Hayes crash victim still in hospital - Teen batting for life two months after controversial Clarendon accident

Adrianna Williams will not forget the telephone call she received on June 12, informing her that her younger sister, Kayanna, was involved in a car accident in Hayes, Clarendon.

Kayanna was among eight youngsters aboard a Nissan AD wagon that crashed into a utility pole in the community. The crash, which has been shrouded in controversy, claimed the lives of three youngsters -- 21-year-old Kevaughn Salmon, his 17-year-old cousin Janoy Blair, and Devonte Johnson.

Kayanna, who celebrated her 18th birthday on July 16, remains hospitalised at the University Hospital of the West Indies. She has blood clots in her brain, a broken arm, a damaged lung and a broken pelvis. She has been unconscious since the accident on June 12.

Her sister, Williams, told THE STAR that the situation has been emotionally distressing for the family, especially for their dad, who has single-handedly raised Kayanna since she was two months old.

"Our dad is a person who doesn't really show his emotions. He doesn't talk much, or knows how to express his feelings, so you may think he's OK, but that's just his wall that he puts up," Williams told THE STAR.

"It has been rough, and very traumatic. Nothing like this has ever happened in our family. We try to stay strong for each other and do what we can, as best as we can. We visit the hospital every day ... . Always there providing support, for her," she said.

Williams said that the entire situation has been challenging for the family.

Medical bill

"It feels like a dream, but because she's not home, I'm not hearing from her and I go to visit her [in the hospital] every day; it makes it real," Williams said.

Compounding the family's worries is the mounting medical bill that now surpasses J$2 million. Williams said that after 10 days in the intensive care unit (ICU), Kayanna's medical bill was $1.48 million.

"The hospital bill is climbing daily. Everything they give her, we are charged for it. When she was in ICU they charged $75,000 per day, not to mention all the medication they gave, which is different from the prescription we fill externally," she explained.

The Lionel Town Police Youth Club, of which Kayanna is a member, is trying to raise funds via crowdfunding platform GoFundMe and a virtual benefit concert, to be held on August 29. The club's president, Shyayne Reid, is hopeful the event will garner enough support to fund Kayanna's treatment.

"The concert will showcase the talents of our club members, community and surroundings," she informed. Reid said club members are still haunted by the accident.

"It has been difficult [because] our members are extremely close to persons who were in the accident. We will continue to pray for Kayanna and her family and do everything we possibly can to raise funds for her, because nothing beats prayer, hard work and determination," said Reid.

Anyone willing to assist can donate to the following GoFundMe account: https://gofund.me/23193931, or contact Shyayne Reid at 876-813-6401 for concert tickets. Ticket price: $200.