‘My heart can’t have peace’ - A mother’s world shattered as daughter dies after traffic mishap

Neisha Anderson wept almost uncontrollably as she recalled the chilling question that was posed to her by medical personnel as her daughter, Michaila Chambers, fought for her life in a hospital bed.

Chambers, 22, died at the Kingston Public Hospital on August 2, eight days after she was struck by two motor vehicles on Waterloo Road in St Andrew. She leaves behind a child, who turns one year old on September 4.

Anderson said medical personnel tried their best to save her daughter's life, but when it became clear that she would not survive, doctors asked whether she wanted to be at her bedside during her last moments.

"'Do you want us to call you when she is dying or when she has died?'," Anderson said she was asked. The question is still ringing in her head as she struggles to accept that her child has died.

"She just left work at MegaMart on Waterloo Road. I heard that she was crossing the road and a car stopped to let her across but another came up and hit her, and flung her to the next side of the road, and another ran over her," Anderson said.

According to the police's Corporate Communications Unit, Chambers, of Love Lane, Kingston, was hit by a Honda Stepwagon and a Toyota Prado about 5:15 p.m. on the day of the incident. She sustained multiple injuries and was taken to hospital, where she subsequently died. The drivers of the motor vehicles have since been interviewed by the police.

A staggering 238 persons have died in road crashes as of August 8, the Road Safety Unit said. Pedestrians (54) account for 23 per cent of the road users killed since the start of the year.

Anderson, who gave birth to Chambers at 14 years old, said her loved ones have been trying their best to comfort her, but the pain she is feeling is unbearable.

"My heart can't have peace. My daughter had sickle cell so I was expecting that to kill her, not an accident. She had sickle cell bad, but God brought her through. I guess He wouldn't allow her to go through the pain and suffering that was about to come. Mi beg God to grant her mercy and favour and give her a second chance, but He has the last say. God wanted her but inside of me is tearing up," she said.

The Fletcher's Land, Kingston resident wore a face of grief and brokenness as she spoke about her 22-year-old, who she remembers as being very jovial and determined. She said that while they had moments of disagreement, she and her daughter had a strong bond.

"I just wanted her to succeed, so I pushed her every day to make the right choices. Everyone adored her, and they affectionately called her 'Likkle Fowl' because of my nickname," Anderson shared.