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A 31-year-old mechanic lost his life a short distance from his home in Morne Diablo in Penal on Monday night.
Police said Brent "Smiley" Alexander lost control of his motorbike at Grant Trace near Caesar’s Court and crashed into an oncoming Nissan Cube, driven by an ex-fireman, at around 6.15 pm.
His sister Makhela Alexander said the road was wet as it was drizzling. From what she was told, the motorbike skidded and hit the car.
On impact, Alexander was pitched in the air and landed on the ground. No one else was injured.
He was taken to the Siparia district health facility, where he died.
"He was a quiet person, always smiling. He was always willing to help others. I was not home (Monday), so I don’t know where he was going," Makhela said.
Residents described the ex-fireman, Richard "Allan" Castillo, as a "careful driver."
One resident, Hayden Hodge, said Alexander was repairing a car in a nearby yard and went out to buy a car part. He was returning when tragedy struck.
"It happened about 200 feet from the car he was fixing. He went for a bolt.
"When I heard the crash, my pores raised. He was my good friend. He was a great transmission repairman," Hodge said.
[caption id="attachment_877544" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Hayden Hodge, friend of 31-year-old motorcyclist and mechanic Brent Alexander who died in a crash on Monday in Morne Diablo, Penal. - Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
Like other residents, Hodge said Alexander used to work at a mechanic shop in Debe, but was fired last year after asking for a pay increase.
Before he was fired, Alexander got into an accident at Quarry Road in Morne Diablo. He swerved to avoid hitting a car and crashed the motorbike. Hodge and Castillo were nearby and helped him.
"It was Allan who called an ambulance to take him to the hospital. Brent was still paying for the bike, and when he was discharged, his work piled up. His instalments increased, so he had asked for the pay increase. Of late, he was complaining about financial problems," Hodge said."This time, when I heard the crash, I could not handle seeing him on the ground again.
Penal police are investigating.
 
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