Jamaican dies in Cayman Islands crash

On Christmas Day, many families and loved ones gather in joy, but just a day later, the Jacquet family found themselves mourning a heartbreaking loss. Romario Jacquet, affectionately known as 'Mari', tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle accident in the Cayman Islands on Boxing Day.

"I was not expecting to hear this," were the only words that could come from Jahzelle Jacquet, Romario's younger sister. The devastating news reached the family in Jamaica through a phone call, shattering their holiday spirit.

Speaking to THE WEEKEND STAR from the United States of America, Romario's father, Bikela Jacquet, described his son as a "jovial youth" who was loved by everyone and avoided trouble. "I helped him to come here [Cayman]," he said. "He was working, then he got involved in the car accident, and he lost his life."

Romario, 26, had been living in the Cayman Islands for two and a half years, where he worked at the airport and was cherished by his colleagues. "The whole work team was at the hospital this morning," Bikela said. "His boss called me crying. The secretary called me crying. The whole staff was there. It's like everyone was traumatised."

Bikela shared that Romario had big dreams for his future. "He was going to build his house but wanted to wait until I came back [to Jamaica] to help him. He wanted someone he could trust to handle his money. That was his next move--to have his own place so he could start going back and forth."

The accident occurred as Romario was returning home from a staff party. According to his father, Romario had not been drinking. "His boss told me he wasn't drinking because he was supposed to work today. Before he left, his boss even gave him three beers but he didn't drink them, he put them in a bag to take home."

"He went home, and he was almost, almost home--when he crashed," he said, still in despair.

Bikela recounted the moment he learned about his son's death. "It was unbelievable. My sister called me first, but I couldn't believe it. I couldn't face the reality until I talked to the doctor himself."