BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ON Thursday, October 14, 2010, little Zarique Bradshaw celebrated another milestone in his life but in the absence of his father. He attained the age of two; an age where most infants are not yet able to understand the realities of life.
Only six days earlier, Zarique’s father, Lasinto Bradshaw (22), was involved in a fatal accident along with three of his closest friends: Dexter James (32) of Lime Kiln, but who was residing in Sandy Point at the time of his death; Maurice Rawlins (23); and Damian Harris (23), both of Sandy Point.
The young men, who from all accounts shared a close bond, were travelling to Sandy Point from Old Road when the vehicle in which they were impacted a tree. Maurice was the driver and owner of the vehicle (P297). And while the others were hurled from the vehicle, he had to be removed by members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services Department. All were pronounced dead on the scene by District Medical Officer Dr. Akin Oduntan.
Friday, October 8, 2010 was undoubtedly an immensely tragic day for the people of Sandy Point and the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
Zarique’s mother, Sharisma, better known as ‘Shay-Shay’, said she would miss the times she spent with Lasinto and the way he cared for his only child.
“I will miss everything about him…the time we shared together, going out…We were together for three years up until his death. He was a loving and caring father; always there for his son.”
Shay-Shay said she understands that as Zarique’s life progresses, he would be asking questions concerning his deceased father. The young mother said when such time arrives she would be truthful with her son and explain to him that his father is not in his life by choice, but rather by circumstance.
“I would tell him how the incident happened and that his father passed away. I would tell him his father was caring and loving, and I would tell him about the times they spent together when he was a youth.”
Erene Bradshaw is the mother of six children, Lasinto being the second of them. She recalled to SKNVibes the last time she saw him and the words she spoke to him before he departed from her home. Those words would be the last she would utter to him.
“The last I saw him was the afternoon (Oct. 8) before he died. He went to work, came home and took a bath and then he left. But when he was here I was talking to him, and I asked him where he was going. I talked to him and told him he must take stock of his life, and I talked to him for him to stop going out so much and stop partying so much. He smiled and he left…That was the last time I spoke with him.”
Sometime later that evening, Erene said she got word that an accident had taken place and without knowing with certainty that her son was involved, she somehow suspected that he was.
“The children came in and told me that there was an accident, and then I called a friend of mine and she said, ‘Yes, there was an accident over the hill and three died.’ I started to cry. I wasn’t sure if he was involved but my mind flashed off on him because he was the only one from my household that was not at home. The others were telling me to take it easy because I am not sure. Then my sister called me and she said, ‘You aine hear what happened?’ And I started crying more because once she called me, I knew for sure. We went to see. We didn’t get to see him until the hearse came. That is the time they let me see him.”
Erene remembers her son as a lover of sports and a jovial individual who cherished his family.
“He got along with his siblings well. They always made jokes and played with each other. He was a joker and always loved to play. He was always very loving. He was always this person who, when he came into the house, would make a joke and play with you. He was that kind of fun person. He lived in the house (above mine) and when he came from work he would come straight to my house, and he would go in and ask me, ‘What is there to eat, mommy?’ He was just a fun child. He would visit this home often even though he lived up the alley…especially if his son is here, he would come here and take him, play with him and have fun with him. He loved basketball and played for the Chappurtin Basketball Team.”
Both Erene and ‘Shay-Shay’ agree that Lasinto’s death has brought much sorrow to their lives. They however expressed that they must carry on with their lives.
Should he have lived, Lasinto, who was affectionately known as ‘Sinto’, would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on November 30.
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