According to Willoughby, Vera was trying to cross the road in a very dimly lit area. She maintained that she tried to swerve the vehicle away, but the left hand side of the Rodeo made contact with Vera, causing her to sustain head and body injuries. There were rumours saying that Francisca was ran over by a bus after she was hit by the Rodeo, but there was no mention of that on the police report, dated today, Thursday. Press Officer, G. Michael Reid, told Amandala that the rumours were false. Amandala spoke with the daughter, Zoila Lopez Vera, who told the newspaper that her mother was coming from her house in Belama Phase 1, Beltex Avenue, and was on her way to Divine Mercy Church, on the other side of the road in Buttonwood Bay, to meet her when she was knocked down. Zoila said that her mother had just arrived at her home earlier in the night for a visit, but her daughter, a teenager, begged Francisca, her grandmother, to please stay the night. The granddaughter explained that her mother had been worrying all night about Francisca, because she was staying alone. The granddaughter said that before her grandmother left to meet her mother at Divine Mercy Church, as she sat around the table having tea, she said that she forgave everyone. The granddaughter said that she even said to tell a person that she had forgiven her for some thing that had happened some years ago. The granddaughter said, smiling, that she believes that God was ready for her and that where she is right now, she is at peace and even more happy, happier than she had been before she left to go to church. The mother, who is still in her state of shock, said that her mother, Francisca, had always told her that when she was ready to die, she was going to come there to do so. Zoila said that her mother?s common-law husband, her stepfather, had gone to the USA recently, and that they were going to get married, and had already made plans. Ever since her stepfather went to the United States, Zoila said that she began worrying. She said that even though she had always known her mom to be strong and independent, for some unknown reason, she had been particularly worried lately. The family said that a tearful Myrna visited the house today and expressed her condolences, and offered to aid in the funeral expenses. Zoila said that the family is not going to press any charges, as they understand that it was an accident. Myrna told her that she only noticed Francisca when she saw her grey hair in the vehicle?s lights. Francisca Vera leaves behind her two daughters, two sons, seventeen grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her sudden death. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet.
