Orville Wright
Fresh grief was expressed on Saturday for the death of one-year-old Niaheesha DaCosta who died in a horrific accident .
One-year-old Niaheesha DaCosta, of Chalk Hill St Ann, was laid to rest on Saturday, September 27, following funeral service at the Berean Church of God, Chalky Hill, St Ann.
The small church was filled with grief as family and friends gathered to have the final look on baby Niaheesha and say their final farewell. Parents of the little Niaheesha, Andito Wynter and Nia DaCosta broke down in tears as they couldn’t bear to see the sight of their little one in a casket. The baby girl was the only child for her parents and had celebrated her birthday, only three weeks before, in August. Both parents were comforted by relatives and friends.
Officiating ministers of the service were, Reverend Ian Reid, Reverend Joseph DaCosta and Reverend Leo DaCosta.
The opening prayer was done by Reverend Leo DaCosta who prayed for the immediate family of young Niaheesha. The first lesson was read by Niaheesha’s aunt, Jasain Williams and a tribute in song was performed by Omfroy McLean. Present at the funeral was also Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Desmond Gilmore.
Niaheesha DaCosta was in her mother’s arms on Saturday evening, August 30 as they headed home from Ocho Rios. Her mother Ms Wynter was sitting behind the driver in a Toyota Coralla taxi when it was involved in a collision with a Mitsubishi Evolution travelling in the opposite direction, near Pearly Beach on the Dunn’s River main Road. The driver of the Evolution reportedly lost control of the vehicle and swerved across the road into the path of the Corolla. Five of Ms Wynter’s relatives were also in the taxi.
One woman died on the scene and nine others were taken to the St Ann’s Bay hospital. One woman was pronounced dead at hospital. The baby was transferred to Bustamante Hospital for children where she died hours later from injuries she received during the accident.
The two others who died in the accident were: 37-year old Latoya Davis of Chalky Hill in St. Ann and Marsha Ferguson of Fraserwood in St. Mary. Davis was reportedly killed on the spot
The driver of the Mitsubishi was arrested days later and charged with three counts of manslaughter. He is thirty-one-year-old Mario Steadman, supervisor of Frazerwood , Highgate, St Mary. He was charged Monday, September 15, and is out on bail.
CAPTIONS
PIC 1- Mother of baby Niaheesha, Andito Wynter seen being comforted here by a relative as she tries to cope with the loss of her only child.
