CHRISTIANA, Manchester — A 31-year-old man who police said was the driver of a Range Rover involved in a collision which left a 10-year-old boy dead and his mother hospitalised in critical condition turned himself over to the police late Monday evening.

Police sources refused to name the person believed to have been driving the Range Rover which changed the joy and excitement of children going back to school on Monday to tears and sorrow for a Manchester family, following a two-vehicle crash.

The boy, Traevon Saunchez, a student of Christiana Leased Primary and Infant School, was being transported by his mother, a police constable, to the school to start grade 6 when tragedy struck.

Head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Carey Duncan said the crash happened about 7:30 am.

“There was a motor vehicle collision along the Sedburgh Main Road in the Christiana police area. From information received, a Honda Fit motor car, which was being driven by a female officer [with] another occupant, was travelling towards Spalding when a Range Rover travelling in the opposite direction overtook a line of traffic and collided in the front section of the Honda Fit,” said Duncan.

Traevon and his mother, who is assigned to Christiana Police Station, were taken to hospital.

“Both occupants of the Honda Fit were taken to the Percy Junor Hospital where the female officer at this time is admitted in a serious condition,” he said.

The Jamaica Observer was told that Traevon died while undergoing treatment.

A senior police source said the staff at Percy Junor Hospital worked tirelessly to try to save the boy’s life.

“Hospital staff tried everything possible. They brought back a dead boy alive and then he just went. It is a difficult time for us. She [the policewoman] was born and grew up and lives in the area,” the source said.

There was a sombre mood at Christiana Police Station on Monday as one police source described Traevon as a studious child.

“He was destined for greatness. He was one of those children who sat down and did his work after school waiting for mommy. I last saw him on Friday and he was sitting doing his work even though school did not start as yet. I lost a child that is not mine. I am one of his mother’s supervisors,” said the source.

In a statement Monday afternoon, Minister of Education Fayval Williams expressed condolence to the boy’s family and the school community.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of young Traevon Saunchez. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his mother, who is bravely fighting for her life, as well as with the principal, academic staff, and students of Christiana Leased Primary and Infant School. Traevon’s untimely death is a devastating loss, and I urge the school community to lean on one another during this incredibly difficult time,” said Williams.

She said the Ministry of Education and Youth has dispatched its Region 5 Guidance Counselling team to provide immediate support to the school.

Up to September 2, a total of 21 Jamaicans 19 years old and under have died on the nation’s roads.

This has prompted DSP Duncan to implore motorists to exercise caution on the nation’s roads.

“The carnage on the road is getting out of hand, so I want to make this appeal to persons who are travelling along the roadway, that it is proven, time and time again, that speeding and improper overtaking are the main contributing factors to accidents, so I just want to make the appeal to persons to just use the roadway properly,” said DSP Duncan.

“The signage and the rules are there for a purpose; it is to ensure our own safety,” he added.

The Honda Fit motor car in which Traevon Saunchez, 9, and his mother were travelling. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)

The Honda Fit motor car involved in Monday’s crash in Sedburgh, Manchester. (Naphtali Junior)

Head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent Carey Duncan speaking with journalists on Monday.