Fatal crash claims retiree as he headed to Point Fortin pan event: Misryoum
A 61-year-old retiree died in a crash early Sunday, hours after telling relatives he was heading to a steel-pan event in Point Fortin.
A deadly crash early Sunday has left a Siparia family in grief, after a retiree died only hours after saying he was on his way to a steel-pan event in Point Fortin.
Stephen Delpino, 61, of Coo-ra Road, Sennon Village, Siparia, was reported dead following the incident, according to Misryoum. Relatives said he had told family members he planned to attend the event connected to Borough Day celebrations.
Misryoum understands the accident happened around 3.20 am on the south-bound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway in Gasparillo.
Police officers who responded to the crash report found a silver Nissan Tiida in a ditch off the roadway, with extensive damage. Delpino was alone in the vehicle when he was located, and he was found motionless and unresponsive.
A district medical officer pronounced him dead at the scene. His body was taken to the San Fernando Mortuary as crime scene investigators processed the area.
For families, the early hours after such news can be disorienting, especially when the last details they had were about plans for something familiar.
At home in Coora Road, relatives gathered as they mourned what they described as a warm and well-loved man. Misryoum reports that Delpino’s niece, Kimberly Delpino, said he left earlier that day after indicating he would attend a pan activity in Point Fortin.
She recalled seeing her phone ring repeatedly and not answering because she did not recognize the number. When she did respond, the caller told her the officer was calling from the police station to inform her that her uncle had been involved in an accident and passed away.
The family said they were still trying to understand what led to the crash. Misryoum reports that Kimberly said she contacted her uncle’s daughter, Akeeme Delpino, to confirm the news.
In addition to grieving, the family described how Delpino had been preparing to travel abroad soon to visit relatives, including having been sent a ticket by his brother. Meanwhile, investigators continue into the circumstances, and Misryoum reports that an autopsy will be carried out.
This case highlights how quickly ordinary plans can turn tragic, leaving loved ones to piece together the moments between a message about an event and the confirmation from the police station.