Accident victim’s son wants justice

UPDATE:

The only son of Patricia La Chapelle, Dominik La Chapelle, is now calling on the police for justice for his mother’s death.

Patricia, 62, was knocked down by a car in St Clair on Wednesday and reportedly died later in hospital.

Speaking to Newsday via Facebook from the US, Dominik said he found out about her death from a relative in this country and promptly contacted the St Clair police, who had tried unsuccessfully to reach him.

He said: “They stated that this matter is pending investigation. However. (they) gave brief details. I humbly await what is going to transpire.

“However, the media need to be mindful of what’s being posted,” he said, disputing the account of how his mother died that was put out by the police.

“She was crossing the road and was hit. All I would like is justice for my mother.”

According to police reports, on Wednesday at around 10 am a lawyer was driving a white Range Rover along Maraval Road when she collided with La Chapelle, who was crossing Sweet Briar Road.

The attorney who knocked down La Chapelle is expected to give a statement to the police today. She was treated at hospital for shock.

Investigators said La Chapelle was originally from Point Fortin, but moved to St James 25 years ago, and was closely affiliated with a church there. When news of her death went viral on Wednesday, a church member went to the St Clair Police Station and told them how to reach Dominik, who is said to be a member of the US Air Force. Police sent several Whats App messages to tell him of his mother’s death, but did not reach him.

Dominik earlier took to social media to express his feelings.

He wrote on his Facebook page, “She was just crossing the road, how can you? You left me without a mother?

“You left my kids without their grandmother? You left lifelong friends and family speechless around the world.

“But most of all you aided God with his fight between good and evil. You added to God’s army of angels. You may not have a conscious (sic) or may not consider even writing an apology, but you know what...I don’t need an apology…I need justice!”

He was clearly distressed at the sudden loss of his mother and asked for people to pray for her.
“Everyone that knows my mother,” he wrote, “knows her spirituality has been at its peak for some time now. As a son I know she is happier after our many conversations, however it’s the closure that I can’t come to terms with.......I was deprived of that. My mother can be described as genuine and loving. Tonight, I ask that you offer her name up in a prayer. I haven’t come to terms with any of this.”

He said there was a lot to do in the coming days, and funeral arrangements will be posted when they are definite.

La Chapelle’s body will remain at the PoS mortuary until it is claimed.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police probing the death of pedestrian Patricia La Chapelle are yet to make contact with her son, who works and lives in the US.

He is said to be a member of the US Air Force.

Police sent several Whats App messages to inform him of his mother’s death. She was knocked down by a car in St Clair on Wednesday and died later in hospital.

Investigators said La Chapelle was originally from Point Fortin but moved to St James 25 years ago and was closely affiliated with a church there.

When news of her death went viral on Wednesday a church member went to the St Clair Police Station and gave police information about La Chapelle’s son, her only relative.

They tried unsuccessfully to make contact with the dead woman’s son and continued today.