A 73-year-old woman was knocked down and killed on the Northern Highway last night and the Coordinator of the Family Court, Myrna Willoughby, is responsible. The victim is Francisca Vera who was hit as she was crossing the road from her daughter's home in the Belama area. She was heading across the road to evening services at the Divine Mercy Church. The 7NEWS team has been on the story since last night and Keith Swift reports.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Around 7:30 last night Francisca Vera was heading to a mass at the Divine Mercy Chapel but she never made it. Instead of church, the 73-year-old grandmother ended up here in the middle of the Northern Highway. Vera was crossing the highway between miles 3 and 4, in front of United Services, when she was hit by this
red Isuzu Rodeo driven by Myrna Willoughby. Her daughter Zoila rushed out of mass to the sight of mother in the middle of the road.
Zoila Vera,Victim's Daugther
"I was in church and they told me that she got knocked down so I ran out and as I saw the clothes I knew immediately it was my mom."
Keith Swift,
You were telling me she was up here in Belama visiting you?
Zoila Vera,
"Yes she came to stay."
Keith Swift,
She was late for church?
Zoila Vera,
"She was late and I went ahead. I wasn't sure if she was going but apparently she made up her mind and she went."
Francisca never made it to church so in a remarkable occurrence, amidst the grief on the accident scene, the congregation from Divine Mercy went to her after mass. Only 7NEWS was on the scene last night as Fr. Kurt Kassebeer led his congregation to the scene and in prayer. Fr. Kassebeer began by blessing the body with holy water. And that was followed by the prayer of absolution.
After the final blessing the Police's Crime Scene Unit arrived to remove the body. This morning back at the family's home in Belama the grieving continued for this mother and grandmother. And among those grieving was the woman accused of knocking down Francisca. The family has embraced Myrna Willoughby and said they will not press charges.
Keith Swift,
Will your family pursue charges?
Zoila Vera,
"No, no charges."
Keith Swift,
Can I ask you why?
Zoila Vera,
"Well because like I said my mother was very outgoing, my other had a good heart, and I know her and what she would want and likewise the same with me.
Accidents do happen, we cannot change it. Like I said before the highway needs immediate attention because today (it) is my mom and I don't want nobody else go through this pain. Constantly people are threatened of being knocked down and its such a busy road, it's a residential area. It needs immediate attention because too many people have been hurt on that highway and I think its time for us to do something about it."
And so it is through openly embracing the one who took their loved one that Zoila and her family hope to deal with their tragic loss. After all, they say that is how this mother and grandmother would have wanted it.
As we noted, the accused driver is Myrna Willoughby who was at the family's home this morning. She declined us an interview, but is talking to police. Willoughby says she was heading to her home in Ladyville when upon approaching the dimly lit area near the church, she saw Vera walking across the road, and at that point could not avoid hitting her. Eyewitnesses tell us that after being hit, the impact launched Vera across the road into the path of oncoming traffic where she was flung unto the side of a passing bus.
And while the family won't press charges, police say that isn't their prerogative. Spokesman G. Michael Reid says the family's gesture is "noble" but the determination on any criminal charges for negligence will be made at the end of a police investigation. And while the police may charge, we note that no case can proceed without a complainant, which in this case would have to be a family intent on pressing charges.
