Clarendon woman seeks help after fatal crash

Monday, July 11 is a day Monique Johnson wishes she could forget. It was the day that she lost her cousin, Shavar Manning, following a motor vehicle crash in Clarendon. Johnson, 23, a resident of Cottage Hill, Summerfield in the parish, was driving the motor vehicle.

They were on their way to a sporting competition in Pennants when the crash occurred. Johnson told THE STAR that she has no recollection of the accident, which left her hospitalised and in a coma for about a month.

Relating what she was told by her family members, Johnson said that persons at the scene of the crash thought that she, like her cousin, had died. She said that she was told that persons realised she was alive when they saw slight movements of her hands and feet.

When she regained consciousness, after weeks on life-support machines, Johnson said she could not see, walk or talk. Her injuries, however, pale in comparison to the loss of her cousin.

"It hurt me a lot, and that pushed me to [attempt] to take my life in the hospital, so they tied me up," Johnson said.

"I didn't mean to do all of this," Johnson told THE STAR. "It kinda tears me apart, but God knows best, and He knows it's hard," she added as tears rolled down her face.

Sergeant Hunmil Campbell, of the Chapelton police, said that Johnson has been warned for prosecution, for causing death by dangerous driving. She has not yet been prosecuted due to her failing health.

Traffic crashes have been a major challenge to the country's public health system. Data from the Road Safety Unit indicate that as of September 12, some 328 persons have died in road crashes. Clarendon has seen 29 road deaths. The data does not capture the number of persons, like Johnson, who have been injured and whose lives have been significantly affected by the crashes.

Johnson is now a patient at five different clinics at the Kingston Public Hospital, is scheduled for a series of procedures including a brain scan, surgery and physiotherapy. She said that her sight has also been affected.

"I am going through a lot and I am praying for some assistance as I know my life has been spared for a purpose on earth," she said.

Johnson, who worked as a waitress, bartender and hairdresser before the crash, said that her bills are mounting and she is unable to keep up. She is now turning to the public for help as she tries to get her life back on track.

"I have a three-year-old daughter and I am the father and the mother for that child. I also help my mommy a lot, because my mommy is my father and mother too. So, I am going through a lot because I cannot work for now. I am really asking for assistance," she pleaded.

Monique Johnson may be contacted via telephone at (876) 866-0909.