Albert Martinez is in jail after he allegedly knocked down and killed 6 year old Ashanty Pollard. As we told you, he was arraigned on a number of charges including manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without a valid driver's license, amongst other offences. In terms of the accident, while police say speeding was a factor, cops are still waiting on results of Martinez's urine sample to close the case. But while Martinez has been remanded to prison, little Ashanty's family and friends are crushed by her death. Today, before her funeral, her classmates at Wesley Lower School organized a very touching and special send off in Ashanty's memory. Courtney Weatherburne was at the school this morning and has the story.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
A kaleidoscope of butterflies decorate the entrance hall at Wesley Lower School. Inscribed on their bristol paper wings are love notes and kind messages for little Ashanty.
But all those butterflies flew out unto city streets as Ashanty's classmates marched in her honor with an important message.
Darlene Lozano, Administrative Principal, Wesley Lower School
"Because of the death of Ashanty Pollard one of my Infant 1 students which was a result of a traffic accident our school took on the initiative of informing the children on how to be safe, traffic safety as well we want to send …we want to inform the public to be cautious, our theme is be cautious life is precious."
And Ashanty's precious life was taken on Sunday night. She was knocked down and killed near the Fabers Road Junction. It was a devastating scene as her mother watched little Ashanty's mangled body on the pavement after she had been hit. While the driver of the vehicle, Albert Martinez has been charged and sent to jail, little Ashanty is gone forever.
Principal Lozano says all they can do now is try to prevent more lives lost to traffic accidents.
Darlene Lozano, Administrative Principal, Wesley Lower School
"We have to teach our children to be careful on the streets as well as the drivers need to be careful and know that every single life is valuable for our country."
Ashanty's presence certainly added value and meaning in her classroom session and among her peers.
Darlene Lozano, Administrative Principal, Wesley Lower School
"She was a quiet and happy child, very friendly everybody in the school knows Ashanty despite her quiet demeanor she was very helpful to her teacher and she was a positive child, encouraging other children and she was going to be a successful student, although she was only in Infant 1, you know she was willing to put the work to become a successful learner."
Shaheera Mckenzie, Standard 3
"We very miss her and we hope she have a fun…and we hope that she is in heaven with God right now."
And 6 of Ashanty's friends sent their messages to her upwards, and onwards, to the heavens.
Ashanty's funeral was this afternoon.
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