Childhood friends from Old Harbour die together in motor vehicle crash

Dead are Odane Lawrence and Marquino Watson, both 24 years old and childhood friends born and raised in the community.

Four other persons, one said to be the cousin of Watson, are hospitalized in critical condition. Old Harbour News has been reliably informed that Lawrence’s cousin remains unconscious, while another person suffered multiple fractures to his leg, arm and hip. The conditions of the other two are considered not to be life-threatening.

Confirming the fatal accident, the Old Harbour Police traffic unit stated that preliminary investigation suggest speeding to be the main cause of the crash which occurred in the vicinity of the tiny community of Grove along the Old Harbour Road. Officers also believe that the occupants were intoxicated, as they were returning from a party.

According to the police about 2:00 am today, a Honda Stepwagon driven by Watson at the time, careened into a tree after the driver failed to negotiate a deep corner and lost control of the vehicle.

Watson, Old Harbour News understands, was on a short vacation in Jamaica to celebrate his birthday with his childhood friends who he grew up with in the community. He was slated to return tomorrow to the United States and was on one final rave with his friends before tragedy struck.

The all-male crew is said to be a group of hardworking and ambitious young men, who had earned the respect of their peers and elders.

Obryan Leighton, the People’s National Party (PNP) councillor candidate for Old Harbour Central Division knew the victims personally and characterized the situation as a “dark day” for Old Harbour.

“Both Odane and Marquino would have played on my first team that I coached from Patrick Street, where we entered some corner leagues in Church Pen. I remember them both as two hardworking players, very disciplined and well mannered,” said Leighton, speaking to Old Harbour News.

“It is disheartening to find out the way they have passed. I visited the family of Marquino earlier this morning and it was as expected a very sad atmosphere. His mother who I know love him dearly, she was distraught. I too feel it just like them because they are like family to me, having worked with them through football and other programmes.”

Leighton, who lives in Patrick Street as well, said he also visited the home of Odane, but was unable to speak to his mother who was taken to seek medical attention upon hearing the sad news.

“It is really a dark day in Patrick Street,” he added. “Marquino who was destined to return to the United States, where he had lived for over two years, he was destined to return tomorrow I was told, only to have met his demise in such a manner. And Odane, who was employed to the National Water Commission after doing studies at HEART in plumbing, would have left behind his son and the rest of his family who are grieving at this time. So it’s really a sad day not just in Patrick Street but within the division. These young men were well known throughout the length and breadth of Old Harbour and were well loved by many.”