Skerrit’s Statement on Death of Isaiah Thomas Secondary School Student

Office of the Prime Minister 1st June, 2023

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I have been made aware of the tragic death of a student of the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) on the Edward Oliver Leblanc Highway, near the Salisbury junction this afternoon as a result of a vehicular accident. My deepest sympathies are extended to the family of this young student, and to his friends and teachers at the ITSS. Every life lost as a result of violence or avoidable tragedies like this, is one life too many. When it is of one so young, then the loss is even more keenly and deeply felt.

I wish to reiterate the call to all road users to respect traffic laws, and to exercise caution, prudence and good sense when traversing our roads, whether as drivers or pedestrians.

I also call on Dominicans to not use tragic events like these to seek to score cheap political points. I utterly denounce the live broadcast on Facebook by the former Parliamentary Representative for the Salisbury Constituency, Hector John, who accused me of driving past the scene of the accident this afternoon with no regard for the young boy who tragically lost his life. This is absolutely false. I have been occupied with matters of State in Roseau for the entire day, after which I proceeded to my home in Morne Daniel at 4pm.

As a father and as Prime Minister of this country, I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, and I pledge to the family my full support and that of the Government in this most difficult time.