Crash leaves ‘Goodas Stunts’ with broken neck - Teen who lost leg in shooting now faces life-threatening injuries

In October 2023, Rieanna Wallace was shot in the leg, allegedly by a Jamaica Defence soldier while travelling with other bikers in Kingston. Despite doctors' efforts, they had to amputate her leg.

Young Wallace, however, had an undying passion for motorcycles, and not even her grandmother's pleads could get her to stay away from them. But in a cruel twist of fate, the 19-year-old, known by her alias 'Goodas Stunts', has found herself in hospital after being involved in a crash on February 20.

The incident occurred around 10:20 p.m., when four motorcyclists collided with a Toyota Coaster bus after one rider lost control. Wallace's neck was broken in the crash, and doctors informed her grandmother, Ann Marie Howell, that pins are urgently needed for her granddaughter's surgery.

"Her neck break and she a feel a whole heap a pain, and she have a iron in her head to hold her head one place. But right now, she need to get some pins for her surgery, and the doctors said we need it as soon as possible," Howell said.

"It cost almost $320,000 and I really can't afford it right now. I am asking anyone who is willing to help us to please do so. Please, I am asking. Right now we are just working with God for her to get though this," Howell said.

The distraught grandmother recalled the night she received a call that shattered her world. She recalled fearing the worst as she rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital with a heavy heart, only to be told that Wallace had survived, although with severe injuries.

Following the incident, her grandmother begged her to stay away from motorcycle, but she did not.

"Lawd God, mi cry and I don't what I don't do to beg her to leave the bike thing alone. One a di time mi all ask her if she nuh 'fraid, because she deh everywhere with the bikers dem. Sometimes mi cry and talk to her but she still pon di bike, but people a say because she lose her foot, her bike is her comfort," she said.

Now facing another huge medical cost, Howell travels to the hospital twice daily to be by Wallace's side, despite the financial strain this places on her.

"Its very hard because I travel two times a day to look for her. The expense is a lot because is not only she alone I take care of, but her two younger siblings as well. Their mother, who is my daughter, died, suh is me have them," she said.

Traffic crashes have been placing a significant strain on public health systems and contributing to the loss of productivity. While data is not readily available on the number of persons injured as a result of crashes, data from the Island Traffic Authority reveal that 365 were killed in crashes last year. As at February 28, there have been 60 road fatalities on the island, with motorcyclists accounting for 23 per cent of the deaths.

Even as she cries out for help for her granddaughter, Howell is appealing to road users, particularly motorists, to exercise care on the roads.

"I am pleading with riders and pillions to wear their helmets and be careful on the road. And mi a beg the motorists them to please look out for people who a walk and a ride," Howell said.

Persons wishing to assist Rihanna Wallace may contact her grandmother at 876-417-3602.