Relatives of Elton Collymore, the Moruga man killed in the parking accident at Gulf City Mall, have forgiven the driver, but believe she should still face charges.
In an interview at their Contention Road neighbourhood yesterday, Collymore’s stepson, Omarley Hamilton, described him as a kind and helpful person who was always ready to lend a hand.
Collymore was killed on Tuesday while helping a 35-year-old woman park her car at the mall.
He was standing behind the vehicle, giving directions, when she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to reverse suddenly and pin him underneath. Bystanders lifted the vehicle off him, but he later died at the hospital. Hamilton said Collymore was the stepfather of eight children. He became involved with Hamilton’s mother when Hamilton was seven years old, but they separated more than a year ago.
He recalled that he was at home on Tuesday when his mother called him crying.
They then went to the hospital, where they saw Collymore’s body. He had head injuries and cuts and bruises on his face and hands. He said his mother was devastated.
Hamilton was not surprised that his stepfather was lending a helping hand when he was killed because he was always eager to help.
“He always going and trying to help somebody. Is like he pass and see you doing something and even if he knows you or not, he will still offer to help out a little hand. He always trying to help somebody.”
While agreeing that it was a horrible mistake and the driver would be traumatised, he believes she should be prosecuted.
“They should get charge because you need to be more vigilant because is a vehicle you driving. It could be anybody, and it could have been anywhere. They should be charged ... but don’t jail them, definitely, because it was a mistake.”
Hamilton recalled he last saw Collymore on Monday morning when he left for work.
“He is a top dog ... he really was a good guy, a great guy,” he said.
Several residents who spoke with Guardian Media expressed similar sentiments and were heartbroken by his death. Police have questioned the driver, who is employed at the mall, but she has not been arrested as investigations are ongoing. —Sascha Wilson
