Families say Linden couple was loving and fun

The mining town of Linden is still in shock following the horrific accident on Monday night at Toucan Drive Amelia’s Ward that claimed the lives of a young couple.

Dead are 20-year-old Shashyka Ettienne, a registered nurse of 764 Well Road, South Amelia’s Ward and 24-year-old O’neil Deyounge of 78 Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward.

Tragedy struck at around 20:30hrs when the couple were heading home on a motorcycle when the driver of a Jeep PSS 8812 made a sudden right turn into the path of the motorcyclist.

Police said Deyounge, on seeing this, applied brakes and lost control of his motorcycle when he and his girlfriend fell onto the roadway and slid under the Jeep.

News Room understands that Ettienne died on the spot while Deyounge was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ettienne was a registered nurse attached to the Linden Hospital while Deyounge worked at the Linden Senior Citizen’s Association as a driver.

The couple, who got engaged last year, was described as loving and were an inspiration to their friends and family.

Deyounge’s mother Coleen Deyounge said her son was a loving father to his daughter whom he had from a previous relationship.

“He makes you happy…he must make you laugh or smile, all these things.”

His sister, Odessa told News Room, “He is a very loving father…he was probably the best father in the world.”

Meanwhile, over at Ettienne’s home not far from her fiancé, relatives tried to console her grieving father Deon Ettienne, who was weeping over his daughter’s lifeless body on the night of the accident.

The father told News Room she was the second of five children; she recently completed her studies and was a registered nurse.

“She finished her studying…she was loving, beautiful and very [respectful] to her family.

“This loss is hard… it means a lot she can’t come back,” the father said.

The driver of the Jeep has been identified as 38-year -old Dane Halt of Richmond Hill McKenzie Linden. (Colwyn Abrams)