Dr. Vary Jones-Leslie was a gynecologist based in Spanish Town, Jamaica. She passed away around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday morning (18 July) in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
She had worked as a visiting clinician in Cayman for years and had touched down in Grand Cayman minutes before a taxi van hit her Monday morning (17 July) on Roberts Drive near Owen Roberts International Airport’s long-term parking entrance.
Her husband arrived in Cayman Monday (17 July) after the accident.
Condolences and words urging courtesy on the roads poured in from the country’s leaders and road safety advocates.
Health Services Authority C.E.O Ms. Lizette Yearwood said her team was deeply saddened by the tragedy and in a statement sent to Cayman 27 she extended condolences to Dr. Jones-Leslie’s family and colleagues both in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere.
Acting Medical Director Dr. Elizabeth McLaughlin said “her life and work as a clinician will be remembered by all of us. Her warm spirit, caring attitude and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others was exemplary.”
The 69-year-old Bodden Town taxi driver was treated at hospital Tuesday (18 July) after the incident. He has since been released. No arrests have been made.
Cayman 27 reached out to the Public Transport Unit to ask about his driving record history. They pointed us to the Ministry of Transport, which issued us a statement:
“Given the tragic accident is the subject of an ongoing R.C.I.P.S. investigation I am not able to provide comment other than what has been issued in the Deputy Premier’s statements.”
Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Hon. Moses Kirkconnell said his Ministry will work to do whatever possible to improve pedestrian safety near the airport.