BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT was early on a chilly December morning when the matriarch of the Collins family got word that her son was hospitalised.
The youngest of Florence Collins’ children, Royston Collins, was reportedly the victim of a hit-and- run incident on the St. Peter’s Main Road while on his way home in the wee hours of Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
He later succumbed to his injuries at the JNF General Hospital.
Speaking recently with SKNVibes, an obvious emotion Michelle Collins provided an insight into the pains the family has endured since the death of her brother.
“I don’t have many words to say. He was my little brother, my mother’s last child, and we were a very close-knitted family. Losing him is like taking something apart from the family.
“We are still trying to cope, especially in June, especially when it is his birthday – 21st June. We always remember him, especially around Christmas time when we have a family-get-together, and then is when we miss him most.”
She lamented that time is supposed to heal wounds but her family is still at a loss for words in relation to the entire incident.
SKNVibes understands that on the night before the incident, Collins had attended a function at the Marriott Ballroom that was hosted by management of the tri-party Royal Group of Companies - Royal Beach Casino, Royal Beach Development and the Royal Utilities.
It was the Group of Companies’ Annual Staff Award and Dinner, where he was honoured as the Royal Utilities Employee of the Year.
SKNVibes also understood that it was while on his way home from the event some time after 2:00 a.m. that he was struck down.
This media house was told that Collins was discovered on the St. Peter’s Main Road in the vicinity of the Mango Tree at Carifesta Village by an individual who alerted the authorities, after which an EMS Unit had transported him to the hospital.
In the presence of her mother, the sister told SKNVibes that they both remember hem “like yesterday”.
“We are working to get through it by the grace of God,” Michelle added.
Royal Utilities is still looking out for the Collins family, as only recently its General Manager, Gerry Mosie, had donated a LG Flat Screen TV to Royston’s mother after the one she had was damaged.
“We at Royal Utilities are donating a TV to her. She is such a nice gracious gal. We care very deeply for her and we want to take care of her,” Mosie told SKNVibes during the donation.
Michelle indicated that the donation means a lot to them, while noting that “it shows that there are still great companies out there that are not only for their employees but also for the family”.
Commenting on the progress of the investigation into her brother’s death, Michelle stated that in her view “it is over, it’s gone and they don’t see any need, any need to still investigate, and nobody is coming forward. So, it is just at a standstill”.
“We would like to know who did it so that we can have closure, but for now we are trying to keep close,” she added.
This morning (Jun. 14), SKNVibes contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, who stated that no one was identified in the suspected hit-and-run incident, therefore, “no one was arrested”.
