Tragic end to year: Accidents, murders leave families in grief

The white Tiida and blue Mazda3 vehicles, which claimed two lives in an accident, at the Freeport Police Station on December 30. - Photo by Innis Francis

AS people across Trinidad and Tobago get set to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones, a string of tragedies has left some families in unimaginable grief and forced to face the reality of death.

Road fatalities, murders and a freak accident have robbed families of a joyous end to 2025 as they face the harsh reality of death.

On December 30, the search for abducted Arima fireman, Bruce Lezama, 46, of Bypass Road, ended when his body was found off the Blanchisseuse Road in Arima.

He was last posted at the Ambulance Section North and was believed to have been abducted from his home, where he lived alone, over the weekend. Lezama was scheduled to report for duty on the evening of December 27. However, he never showed up, and a search was later launched.

Also on December 30, gardener Pooran "Purkee" Danpat, 53, was gunned down while tending to his crops in his garden at Danpat Seetal Road, Piarco Old Road, D'Abadie.

Meanwhile, the nation's road death toll climbed to 112, after three fatalities within 12 hours on December 29.

Road safety co-ordinator Sgt Brent Batson confirmed the figures on the afternoon of December 30.

Two of the victims, prison officer Kerron Prime, of Primrobe Drive, Chase Village, Chaguanas, and Daren Lewis, 39, of Mission Road, Freeport, died at the scene.

Kerron Prime -

The two men were killed in an accident on the night of December 29 along the Southern Main Road, McBean Village, Couva, near Beaucarro Road.

Police said a third occupant, a man, sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The survivor is said to have been an occupant alongside Prime.

No other injuries were reported.

Hours before the double tragedy, at around 3 pm, eight-year-old Gideon Smart was crushed to death by a runaway truck in an accident in the family's yard at Five Rivers in Arouca.

On December 30, acting Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe said the "prisons family" was mourning the untimely death of Prime.

"It's never a good time to lose someone, especially at this time of the year, going into a new one," Corraspe said.

"We do not have the full particulars beyond what was reported. Our condolences go out to his family, and the Prisons Service stands by to support them, with counselling or whatever we can assist with in this time of grieving."

Prison service mourns resilient officer

He added that internally, Prime's immediate colleagues would be offered counselling services, noting that they were expecting Prime to come out to work on the next shift but would now not see him again.

Prison Officers' Association (POA) president Gerald Gordon said Prime was last based at the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (formerly Youth Training Centre or YTC) in Arouca.

He recalled that Prime survived a serious crash back in 2009/2010, which left him reliant on a cane to walk.

Gordon said he could not remember the exact location of that crash but recalled that a vehicle crossed the median of the highway and slammed into Prime's car while he was driving.

Gordon said Prime was also on duty during the 2015 prison break in Port of Spain and later underwent therapy.

Daren Lewis -

"He is a well-loved officer, a genuine guy, always giving someone some sort of picong. He never had any issues, disciplinary problems, or anything like that. Despite his mobility challenges, he continued to come to work and do what was set out for him to do," Gordon said.

Later in the day, the association via social media said Prime gave 18 years of dedicated and diligent service, serving with quiet strength and commitment.

"He also carried the trauma of being among the officers who stood in the line of fire during the prison break of 2015 – an experience that few can truly comprehend," a Facebook post said.

"Through it all, Kerron remained an officer who answered the call of duty. His contribution, sacrifice, and service will not be forgotten."

Speaking with Newsday on December 30, relatives of Lewis said he was heading home from work at the time of the crash and was alone in his Mazda3 car.

New Year's get-together shattered

Lewis, the father of one, was described as jovial, loving and caring.

Lewis owned and operated Spot on Car Wash and Services in Couva.

His sister, Makada Lewis, said the family was still trying to process the tragedy and console one another, as the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.

Makada said the family traditionally gathers at their mother's home in Arima to celebrate New Year's Day.

"We would gather by our mum and celebrate New Year's Day. Everybody would usually be there," she said.

Makada Lewis also appealed to drivers to exercise greater caution on the nation's roads.

"Drivers must consider others when they are out there. They must not drive for themselves alone. They must drive for everybody on the road," she said.

She added that it was too early to share details of the funeral arrangements.

Freeport police are investigating the double fatal accident.