Grief support deployed to schools following deadly crash in St Elizabeth

The education ministry has deployed its guidance and counselling team to provide grief support to schools linked to victims of a motor vehicle crash that killed four persons, including three children in St Elizabeth on Saturday.

The tragedy occurred on the Crawford to Font Hill main road, near the St Elizabeth–Westmoreland border.

The victims have been identified as 30-year-old Jeneen Dawkins, her 10-year-old daughter Antwasia Glenziler, their neighbour 12-year-old Janneilia Dunkley, and her sister, 17-year-old Jonnessa Dunkley.

Glenziler was a grade five student at Elmo’s Preparatory School, Janneilia a grade seven student at Magotty High School. Jonnessa recently graduated from Lacovia High School.

Education Minister Dr Dana Morris-Dixon said the guidance and counselling team is working closely with school administrators in the affected communities.

“This is a devastating tragedy that has shaken our nation, and particularly our education family,” she said. “We mourn the lives lost and extend our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, classmates, teachers, and communities who are grieving. The Ministry has mobilized its counselling teams to ensure that students and educators receive the emotional support and care they need during this incredibly difficult time.”

The minister emphasised the importance of compassion, collective support, and road safety awareness as the nation reflects on the loss. She added that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide ongoing psychosocial assistance as required.

Since the start of the year, 11 people have been killed in seven road crashes.

The police are investigating whether speeding and failure to keep left contributed the crash. It involved a black 2011 Toyota Voxy and a utility motor truck, a white 2013 Freightliner M2 106 Crew Cab, according to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Dawkins was driving the Toyota Voxy in which all the children were occupants.

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