‘Bannister must go over my daughter’s death’

Patrice Carey, the mother of Garvinisha Carey, is embraced during yesterday’s press conference. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, June 28, 2018

By Morgan Adderley

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE family of Garvinisha Carey, the young mother who was tragically killed after her car crashed into the concrete barriers that closed off Munnings Road, is calling for the resignation of Works Minister Desmond Bannister.

Carey’s family also expressed disappointment in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for his comments in the wake of the incident and claimed that no official in his administration has reached out to them.

The family also called this lack of response “cold and heartless”.

In a press conference held yesterday at the site of the accident, Carey’s mother Patrice Carey announced that the family has acquired the services of attorney Wayne Munroe to file a lawsuit against the government, and particularly the Ministry of Works.

The family is also calling for Munnings Road to be reopened, a written apology from the government, and assistance in forming a National Grief Management Centre.

“It’s such a time of disbelief, it’s really a time of reckoning with one’s soul, to know that there was no natural contribution to my daughter’s death,” Mrs Carey said yesterday. “Except callousness, callousness from the head and from those in authority.”

During the press conference, Mrs Carey was joined by her husband, Garvin Carey, their four younger children, and their late daughter’s young son. They were also joined by two representatives from Munroe and Associates.

While the legal representatives could not confirm when the lawsuit will be filed and how much in damages the family will seek, Mrs Carey reiterated that no amount of money could fill the “void” left behind by her daughter’s absence.

Describing her daughter as pleasant, virtuous, law-abiding and full of potential, Mrs Carey decried both the concrete blockade as an “ungodly structure” and the actions of the Minnis administration.

“To the government of the Bahamas, to whom we say, we have not heard from you…Not even anyone that claims to be affiliated with the present government,” Mrs Carey said.

“As a family, we felt that your failure to act or express sympathy in any way, was cold and heartless.

“We expect a true service from our government, who claim it is here to protect us. But so far, they are now taking away from us. They have taken away from this family that which can never, ever be repaid,” an emotional Mrs Carey said.

She also expressed disappointment in the member of Parliament for her constituency, Yamacraw representative Elsworth Johnson.

“I thought about it, I said why has no one approached me even to say sorry? And there was a lot of speculation— no one wants to take claim for it. But I said my God. My own MP…Elsworth (Johnson). I said at least he could have stopped by my house. It wouldn’t have even been associated with anybody. I am his constituent.

“But I know…that this is not personal. I am, and we are not the only ones, feeling the effect of such a government. Such a people that would leave their people to suffer in grievance. That give no word. Even if it’s a word that would begin the process of healing.”

Also present at yesterday’s press conference was Adrian Francis, director of Operation Sovereign Bahamas. Mrs Carey said the family is standing with OSB as they make their demands in the wake of their daughter’s death.

“Along with (a) written apology to both my husband and myself, we seek to have this road opened… We also seek the immediate resignation of the minister responsible for works, and…all members that were a part of this collaboration to have this structure, this ungodly structure placed here, that took the (life) of one of our own.

“We further seek assistance in forming a National Grief Management Centre where families… that have been so greatly impacted by grief and sorrow, can receive counselling and assistance.”

She also called for an extension of this centre to be made available to police officers.

Days after the accident, Dr Minnis was asked by an Our News reporter why it took a fatality for officials to place speed bumps and reflectors on the road.

“You have to ask technical people,” Dr Minnis said as he walked in Rawson Square. “I am a politician. I am not a technical man.”

Asked if due process was done before the road was closed, Dr Minnis said the issue had been addressed on numerous occasions, adding “Let me go for lunch.”

When asked about these comments, Mrs Carey said: “My thoughts were in line with what I’ve seen him doing throughout the whole time. Nothing. Lack of concern, lack of care. Lack of justice. And this is why we have retained lawyers to exact that justice. Because we knew we weren’t going to get it from him.”

Mr Carey said the government is treating his family like “potcakes,” while expressing sorrow that he will never be able to walk his daughter down the aisle. He also lamented that her death was a mere three days before Father’s Day.

Attorney Palincia Hunter of Munroe and Associates said the law firm will be seeking to determine who is responsible for Carey’s death.

She added that Mr Munroe is of the “considered opinion” that the government and Ministry of Works are liable, and that the addition of speed bumps and reflectors to the scene in the wake of the accident is an “admission of the government’s liability.”

In April, the Ministry of Public Works advised it would be carrying out works on Munnings Road for one week in connection with the intended closure, which is to become a cul-de-sac. The road was closed at the beginning of May.

joeblow 5 years, 9 months ago

A truly unfortunate occurrence, but how is the minister personally responsible for reflectors not being placed at the concrete barrier at the time they were installed by workers? Did the drivers speed have anything to do with her death?

ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago

That's blaming the victim.

The question to ask is why was the barrier placed there? Did Minnis make a call to someone to "just get it done"? Just like he bulldozed through Oban despite all the common sense reasons to take another direction? Personally when I saw the pic I couldn't believe that "that" constituted a "safe" road closure. Further the concrete barriers were pale grey and blended right in with the road, they must have been practically invisible in the early morning. The sad part is, this is the second time someone crashed into them and nobody thought to place some warning signs around them after the first crash?

joeblow 5 years, 9 months ago

So victims cannot be at fault in an event such as this? This is not a matter of one is right and the other is wrong!! Every heard of the concept of shared liability?

Even if the barriers were there the question still remains would she be alive if she was driving much slower? Who is responsible for the speed with which she travelled? Surely not the government!!

It is the governments job to ensure traffic lights are working. When they are not it is MY responsibility to drive with due care!

tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 9 months ago

I agree with the family. That monstrosity should have never been placed there. My condolences to the Carey family. What a terrible and unnecessary loss.

Sickened 5 years, 9 months ago

She couldn't see those monstrosities??

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

And with about 1/4 mile of straight road ahead of her. . .IN THE MORNING LIGHT. . .DAY LIGHT SAVING PHASE STARTED LONG AGO!! The first thing came to my mind when I heard of the accident and saw the accident seen was " what was she doing to not see that barrier after driving on that road for the time frame she did until she reached that barrier. . .or perhaps she may have wanted to kill herself? I don't believe that she wanted to kill herself given her parents testimonies of her life! It is tragic that this has been turned into another political stick to beat doc with. . .the PLP is "USING" this family tragedy to gain "mud" to fling at doc!! The young lady will be dissected in public and I am sure that the police as well as other minds in the society are asking sober questions about this accident. I could see if the barrier was immediately after a deep curve or something of that sort. . .but that far into those straight roads. . .in that light. . .even if they say that there was no light at that time. . .her headlights becomes a factor then. . .was she driving with lights off. . .why?

OriginalBey 5 years, 9 months ago

Don't text and drive. Voice note in emergencies only. Don't apply make-up and drive. Do this at home or in the bathroom before your shift. Don't turn around to spank the children and drive. Use the evil eye and rear view mirror.

Either her lights weren't working or she was distracted or speeding and the brakes didn't hold.

I am all for accountability but calling for the minister's resignation is a stretch. There should be a warning sign 50 feet before the concrete barricade, reflectors and neon signage on the barricade itself. I hope this has been addressed since the most unfortunate incident.

R.I.P. Condolences to family and friends

ohdrap4 5 years, 9 months ago

She was speeding and not wearing a seat belt.

don't run with scissors.

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

When you enter the road from the west the sign warns you that the road is closed. . .and all social media knew that the road was closed. . .those barriers would only pose a danger to drivers any time of day is if the driver is speeding at a high rate in the dark with lights off. . .which is unlikely. . .therefore the government only needed to prepare for realistic scenarios. . .so to say that a plane which took off from LPIA, developed engine problems, attempted to emergency land on that remote road and crashed into the barriers. . .that the government is at fault because they placed landing lights in that remote road after the crase is indication that they caused the plane to hit the barrier and caused death of passengers. . .???????

infoseeker 5 years, 9 months ago

All of social media knew?? Is that your argument. That won't hold up in court. The fact is both parties were probably negligent. But the government is at fault, simply because speeding doesn't mean automatic death. However, speeding into a military grade barrier that had no proper lighting or signage equals death. The government admitted to having some responsibility by placing speed bumps, reflectors and an actual sign at the western entrance which was not there previously. Had the government taken these precautionary measures there would be no reason to sue.

banker 5 years, 9 months ago

Jeezus. Why do Bahamians think that the government should bear the responsibility of the actions of its citizens? If you crash into a road barrier, it is obvious that you do not have proper care and control of your vehicle. Bahamians have to grow up and stop regarding the government as the rich godfather, the paternal grandfather, the responsible adult and the uncle that touches you and start bearing responsibility for their actions, including tolerating the PLP government that raped the treasury of the Bahamas. Are we so naive as a democratic government that personal responsibility is the purview and domain of the government and not of the citizen? Bannister had nothing to do with the poor woman crashing into the barrier.

ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago

Did you see the pics of what they call a "barrier"? It was pale grey with no signage and this was early in the morning when visibility is low. She could have looked to the left Or right for a second and not seen those blocks

After seeing how Dr Minnis handled Oban, pushing a nonsensical deal without consulting anyone , it's probably a forgone conclusion what happened here. We're gonna have plenty painful lessons in the next four years. If he makes it that far without a challenge

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

No Sir. . .the most of us have moved on from the PLP major cut hip at election. . .you political "stuck" persons will have a hard four years. . .we the ordinary citizens we "deal" with yall every five years. . .the rest of the yearly "blinding your self" thinking because of your party feelings. . .yinna do that. . .leave us out!!! If you know that road you will know that a person will have to take one pretty long "glance" to the right or the left to not see the barriers in time!! You ever thought that he has no challenge is only inside of your head. . . or that his people do work well with him. . .or you are just jealous and hate him? We know when and how to deal with doc or any of you politicians. . .

ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago

Your voice heralds the death knell of the FNM. Simply because you can't see that Bahamians just want better, your knee jerk reaction is always y'all hste Minnis, Minnis can't do no wrong, FNM right. I voted FNM as a last ditch effort to save the country only to get more of the same. Do I hate Minnis, no, he's Bahamian. I hate what's happening yo my country, there's just too much opportunity for us to be where we are.

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

You don't know what is happening in your country. . .if you are rue in what you put out here. . . heck you have problem understanding what people write right here for you. . .you are lost and naive. . .very political and reaction-formation prone! If you take time to understand what people say to you you will see that the difference between you and us about the FNM, Doc and if he can do any wrong is that we are saying lets see what happens. . .but you right out of the gate. . .he is not good, he wrong, he dumb etc! We just say chill dude. . .he is not fool. . .his party doing alright fer now. . .stop being a hater. . .lets see how things will turn out!

hallmark 5 years, 9 months ago

This is a very unfortunate incident and a tragic loss. But it seems as if speed was responsible for the young lady's death.

Alex_Charles 5 years, 9 months ago

Here's a suggestion, don't speed?

Socrates 5 years, 9 months ago

i can imagine the anguish over the loss as i have kids of my own. However reality is whether driving on Bay Street, Paradise Island bridge or any where else, the driver is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle.. like they say, exercise caution and care. hope the courts exercise good judgment so we dont become a litigous society like the US. 0nly persons who benefit from that are the lawyers.

BahamaRed 5 years, 9 months ago

They aren't serious, it is an unfortunate situation that the young lady died but how is that the government's issue.

I agree with banker, Bahamians think the government is responsible for their poor choices. Calling for the resignation of Bannister is ridiculous and far beyond necessary.

If for every accident in the USA someone resigned there would be no public officials.

Fact is this family needs to grieve and move on, stop looking for a comeup and free government assistance on the back of your dead family member.

yari 5 years, 9 months ago

Our number one failing - failure to take personal responsibility. You speed and there are consequences...

realfreethinker 5 years, 9 months ago

Maybe one day Bahamians will take personal responsibility for their actions. By the way is wayne munroe the only lawyer in the country?He is one average lawyer who has parlayed his ambulance chasing skills into a fortune. Talk about PR skills.

geostorm 5 years, 9 months ago

Carey family, my condolences on your loss. Although what you are experiencing is very painful, you can not blame anyone for your daughter's tragic death. The public was advised about this road closure since April. Accept that your daughter probably lost control of her vehicle or may have been distracted while driving. You just can't crash with the impact that she did and not have been speeding or distracted. You are right, however, no amount of money, debate on who's fault it is or who did or did not extend condolences to you will ever bring her back. She is gone forever.You now have to live with her absence so I would caution you not to used by greedy attorneys who may not have your best interest at heart!

Sickened 5 years, 9 months ago

Thank the lord there weren't pedestrians walking across the road instead of the barriers... she probably would have plowed through them - and they, I guess, would blame the government for not having a pedestrian crossing and reflectors in the exact place that they want to cross!

birdiestrachan 5 years, 9 months ago

in April the notice that the road would be closed the work would be completed in one week, the road was closed in May she lost her life in June.

it is the duty of the Government to place signage and precautions in place. Apparently there were none. According to Banister persons should see. Early mornings are dark especially if it is raining.

No one knows if she was speeding or not.. but the facts are there was no signage.

besides why was doc closing off a road to please a few of the elite so that the locals can not drive the elite road.. The local Bahamians used it from Gladstone road to go to the Airport. it is shorter. But yet again he has to go for his stew fish.

joeblow 5 years, 9 months ago

Basic physics formula:

force= mass x acceleration.

The force with which she hit can be estimated from the wreckage. The mass of the car can easily be found (based on year and model), making it fairly simple to determine the speed with which she hit the barrier. Not rocket science. But it is very unlikely that she would have died from the impact if she was driving at the speed limit on that road which I believe was 25 mph!

Greentea 5 years, 9 months ago

The government is to blame because they allowed and apparently facilitated the closure of a public road due to private requests. The residents who voted to close the road should also share the blame and the Ministry of Works specifically because it was an incompetent installation- without warnings, lights, bumps, reflectors or signage. If she was just speeding, she would still be here. But she was speeding in conditions that made her chance of life impossible. I hate how politics always get in the way of law and logic in this country. And these comments and the government's silence suggest- here we go again. Is Wayne Munroe the only lawyer people go to?

sheeprunner12 5 years, 9 months ago

Has there been a complete police traffic investigation report and Coroners report into how the car crashed???? .......... The barriers are far up the road from the Gladstone Road corner, so how come she hit those barriers and did so much damage to her car (and the barriers)????

Or is this the on-going political tirade and charade by Munroe et. al.???????

ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago

I haven't seen Munroe take a high profile case yet that he's lost. This one seems like a sure win, no pun intended. It's inexplicable that there was no nighttime signage on those barriers. Unless you personally tell every single person in the country of the closure you cannot assume that "everyone" knows the road is closed. The precautions around those barriers should have accounted for the one person who didn't get the message. And even if you do know, sometimes muscle memory takes you down some routes only to have to turn around.

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

Which high profile case he engaged and won? Could you please elaborate please!!

ThisIsOurs 5 years, 9 months ago

Uhhhmmm...remember Flowers? Then the gaming injunction....and Frank Smith looks headed in the sane direction.

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

What about flowers case that was won by Munroe? What gaming injunction you are talking about. . .or do you mean the requested judicial review to prevent the police shutting down games house while they dealt with government? Or do you mean the same case where Mr. Munroe and his QC are all over the place trying to put everything" in the water hoping something sticks. . .Smith "gern ta jail". . . they all done know that. . .case too cut and dry!! And if Mr. Munroe was all that. . .he had to go and get a QC from outside the nation to save Mr. Smith's hip? Again, how many "big cases" with millions of dollars and international players you see go to Mr. Munroe? He een all that when ya remove him from "real players in law".

truetruebahamian 5 years, 9 months ago

Shouldn't have been speeding! Also, you pay for seat belts, why not use them.

BahamaRed 5 years, 9 months ago

Fact remains speed was a factor. Because had she been A. Paying attention to the road, and B. Doing the posted 25mph speed limit there would have been no way for her to have hit the barricade with enough force to move it back several feet- as stated by police.

Furthermore the damage her vehicle sustained and the lack of brake skids in the road also indicate she was speeding and didn't see the barricade with enough time to brake or swerve and thus not have direct head on impact.

She was responsible and I feel no amount of signage or reflectors on the barricade could have prevented this if she was in fact speeding and distracted.

Sad though it may be this family needs to accept the loss, grieve, and move past this.

Stop looking for a come-up and letting the wrong people gas them up on foolishness. Have some respect...

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

The no skid marks is the most damning for this family. . .this suggests that the person did not see the barrier in time to apply breaks . . .could not apply breaks before hitting the barrier such as having a seizure or stroke etc. . .OR DELIBERATELY NOT APPLYING BREAKS AND DELIBERATELY DRIVING INTO THE BARRIERS TO DESTROY SELF. . . for all we know she may have had a seizure or something similar. . .that family seem too close for she to have deliberately drive into the barrier. . .plus she had a child to live for. . .

rawbahamian 5 years, 9 months ago

The most damning evidence as to the cause of her death is that she had to have been "flying" to have damaged her vehicle that extensively and move 1TON of solid concrete ! How is it that everyone else is being made to be responsible for her own irresponsibility which caused her death !

BahamaRed 5 years, 9 months ago

Or licks 2... she wasn't payiing attention. Sad but possibly true.

bogart 5 years, 9 months ago

Extremely sad and trajic.

Why in the first place should the government spend millions of dollars of public treasury money...to have its engineers, officials equipment usage ....pave a lengthy piece of road.....using up Public Treasury money....and then accomodate and ....make the road .?.private..???....whats going on ???

licks2 5 years, 9 months ago

You would have to ask the PLP why they did that. . .they also paved my dirt road. . .I was kindda "mad" because my dirt road "kept" the public out and maintained my rural look that most motorists avoided like the plague. . .then one day just before the election, political cronies i suspected, came a rut the beloved white road up. . .placed down tar for about 1/4 mile. . .for no reason than one PLP MP told him to "tar" the road. . .

sealice 5 years, 9 months ago

Speeding through concrete barriers and it's someone else's fault? What's the game here make up a total bunch of BS - repeatedly say it to yourself....so someone believes it ......and then try to throw everyone else under the bus except yourself when you let this fool drive the car in the first place?

birdiestrachan 5 years, 9 months ago

Who among these people have not speed before, All are guilty at some time they have driven above the speed limit. that is truth, Those barriers should not have been there and they were there to long, And there should have been warnings and not as Banister say they can be seen from afar, not necessarily so early in the morning or in heavy rain. The cost of gas will go up why stop Bahamians from using a shorter route. just to please the few. Shame on doc, Shame on Banister.

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