A 34-year-old hospital attendant was the country’s latest road fatality, after he crashed on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway near Food Basket in Arima.

He has been identified as Kendell Cox from La Horquetta.

According to a senior police source, the road death toll for the year stands at 119, as compared to 101 in 2023 – an 18 per cent increase.

Police said around 9.15 pm on December 28 Cox was driving his silver Nissan Wingroad near Food Basket when he overtook several vehicles in the left lane.

Cox lost control of his car and swerved into the middle of the road, hitting the median and then a tree, uprooting it.

Eyewitnesses called the Fire Services to remove him from his car. Cox died at the scene.

Newsday visited Cox’s home in La Horquetta on December 29 where his family and friends were gathered outside, mourning him.

His mother Jean Williams said Cox was the younger of her two sons and she could always rely on him for anything.

“He was very loving. He was also hard-working, especially for his two children.

“We had a very good understanding. When it was time to go in the grocery I’d go with him, because he’ll run the trolley and go and pick up things.”

She said she was trying to be emotionally strong, as people kept coming to the house to give their condolences, but admitted she was shaken by the incident.

Williams said Cox was a hospital attendant at the Chaguanas Health Facility and was on his way to work when his untimely death occurred. She recalled their last conversation, minutes before he left home.

“My two sons were here with us for the weekend and I ask him if he had to go to work tonight. He said ‘Yes ma’am. I have to go.’”

She said his statement of “I have to go” has repeated in her head since his death.

“Sometimes people talk and we interpret it (one way) and not take on what they say.”

Cox’s father was also present at the house. Asked how he would remember his son, Glenroy Cox said he was overwhelmed by a flood of memories and emotions.

[caption id="attachment_1129555" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Jean Williams speaks at her home in La Horquetta on December 28 about the death of her son Kendell Cox in an accident on Saturday night. - Photo by Jeff K Mayers[/caption]

“He was a loving fella. Always interested in doing his jobs and whatever little he could do.

“He was always on the move. Never sitting down and always looking to get work. He even had a landscaping project he was working on.”

Cox had two sons, a 14-year-old and a ten-year-old.

Asked how they were processing their father’s death, Williams said, “There was real bawling and thing last night. He was real close with his children.”

Williams said she has had excellent support from her friends and neighbours and her family from abroad were looking to return to Trinidad soon to provide extra support.

Williams message to drivers on the road was to take the necessary precautions.

“Sometimes we take chances and you never know. Sometimes it just good to be alert.”

Arrive Alive: More needs to be in