[UPDATED] Siparia accident victim, 33, dies at hospital

Having survived a car crash that killed her husband almost 16 years ago, a Santa Flora woman is now in mourning again as their 33-year-old daughter died on July 18 at hospital, days after she was struck by a drunk driver in Siparia.

Wiping away tears, Ann Marie Lewis called on drivers to be cautious on the road to protect themselves and others.

Her husband Ruthven Lewis died in a car crash at Mosquito Creek in La Romaine on October 12, 2008.

“Do not drink and drive, please. Life is worth living,” Lewis said as she looked at a picture of her daughter Anezia Lewis at the family’s home at Dalley’s Village on July 18.

Lewis said she does not know the driver or anything about him.

Anezia was struck by a car in the car park of Secret Lounge Bar at SS Erin Road, Quarry Village in Siparia, around 10 pm on July 15.

She died around 12.20 am on July 18 at the San Fernando General Hospital.

She was standing and talking to a relative who was sitting in a car.

A 68-year-old man from Sudama Alley in Siparia was nearby in his car and reversed, hitting Anezia. She fell, and the car rolled over her, causing further injuries to her feet, belly and hands.

The incident was captured on CCTV cameras. The footage shows the car hitting Anezia and crossing the street. The driver then drove forward, running over Anezia’s body again, while onlookers tried to alert him. When the car stopped, Anezia was trapped underneath as several men tried to get the driver’s attention.

Anezia was taken to the Siparia District Health Facility and was transferred to the hospital.

The police were alerted. The first responders were WPC Bowen-Rooplal and PC Jagessar.

While interviewing the driver, the policeman detected a strong scent of alcohol on his breath. They arrested him and later charged him with drunk driving. Investigations are ongoing.

Cpl Ragbir, PC Moreno, and WPC Ashby, as well as firefighters Stoute and Hospedales of the Siparia fire station, visited the scene.

Several people gathered at the family’s home on July 18 to offer condolences.

Lewis referred to her daughter as “a sweetbread,, a nice person and her baby.

The mother of three and grandmother of five said somehow, she did not want her daughter to leave that night and suggested Anezia stay home and read.

Her daughter responded that she was “coming back just now.”

Anezia, who had endometriosis and an ectopic pregnancy, had surgery three months ago. US-based medical group Mayo Clinic describes endometriosis as an often-painful condition in which tissue  similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

Lewis’s world turned upside down when she got a call about the crash.

“She had a lot of internal injuries. My daughter had broken ribs and her lungs collapsed.

"She was able to respond,” Lewis said.

“But after she had the surgery on Tuesday, doctors said she was critical. The doctors said they could not promise me anything. When I went to look for her yesterday evening, I was told she regained consciousness and was asking for my granddaughter (her baby niece).”

Lewis said Anezia was on a breathing machine. From what she was told, tubes might not have been properly hooked up when Anezia took her final breaths.

Anezia was not married and did not have children.

Looking at a picture of Anezia, Lewis said, “Mama, why you gone and leave me?”

Lewis recalled that 16 years ago, Anezia’s father was a passenger and died on the spot when they crashed while returning home from a lime.

“I had several broken bones and was in the intensive care unit (ICU). I was in a body cast for three and a half months. I was unable to attend his funeral because I was still hospitalised.

“Also, my son was in ICU just nine months ago after an accident in the South Oropouche district.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A 33-year-old woman who was struck by a drunk driver near a bar in Siparia on July 15, has died at the San Fernando General Hospital.

South Western Division police confirmed that Anezia Lewis, of Dalley Village, Santa Flora, died at 12.20 am on July 18.

The police said at around 10 pm on July 15, she was in the car park of Secret Lounge Bar at SS Erin Road, Quarry Village in Siparia. She was standing and talking to a relative sitting in his car.

A blue Nissan driven by a 68-year-old man from Sudama Alley, Siparia, was also in the car park. He reversed onto the roadway and struck Lewis causing injuries to her feet, belly and hands.

Lewis was taken to the hospital and the police arrested the driver.