It was a reunion nearly two decades in the making and it was planned as a surprise for sisters Harriet and Shirlene Smith. But nothing could have prepared the two sisters for the news that their sister Shawn, who they last saw in 1987, was in Belize at the morgue, just killed in a traffic accident.
Shawn who lives in Los Angeles headed to Belize on a whim and as a surprise for two of her nieces' graduation from standard six. But she kept it a secret and on Saturday she flew into Mexico and then drove with friends to Belize City. Then disaster stuck at mile 8 on the Northern Highway, where Shawn's driver Theadus Young lost control of the vehicle and collided head on into a Honda Accord driven by 52 year old Millicent Hererra. Shawn Smith who was in the passenger seat died on the spot from severe head and body injuries. Her sister Harriet says the news of the death was completely devastating.
Harriet Smith, Shawn’s Sister
“Some of my friends came to look for me about minutes to two on Saturday morning. They told me that I needed to go with them to the hospital. I asked them why and they said please come with us. I said I wouldn’t go unless you tell me what it is. They said they have bad news for me and I asked what is it. They said my sister was in an accident. I said that’s impossible because my sister didn’t tell me she was coming. Then another vehicle came and they brought part of her luggage. So I got dressed and went to the hospital. When I got here they told me she was in the morgue already.”
Keith Swift,
So her visit was a surprise to you?
Harriet Smith, Shawn’s Sister
“Yes she came for my niece and my daughter graduation from standard 6. That’s the reason she was here.”
Keith Swift,
Where was she coming from at the time of the accident?
Harriet Smith, Shawn’s Sister
“According to her papers she caught two flights: one from California to Tijuana and the other one from Tijuana to Chetumal border. Once there she crossed the Belize border and caught a ride with one of her friends who she knows at the borderline. Then this happened.”
One of Shawn Smith's nieces graduated from Holy Angel primary school last night in Pomona Valley. Her second niece will graduate on Wednesday from St. Luke’s Primary School. It is notable that these are nieces Shawn Smith would have been meeting for the first time. Meanwhile her funeral arrangements are pending. The driver of the Honda Accord Millicent Hererra received a broken leg.
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