Boy, 15, dies in Diego crash

A SCHOOLBOY who borrowed his friend’s car to go on a joyride, was killed in an early morning crash at Crystal Stream, Diego Martin, yesterday morning. Matthew Oliver-John, 15, aka “Fatboy,” a Form Five student of the Diego Martin Junior secondary School, was killed instantly around 7 am yesterday when he lost control of the car he borrowed from a friend, and crashed into a tree. When Newsday visited Oliver-John’s home at Fourth Street, Simeon Road, Petit Valley yesterday, his mother Emerine Oliver-John pleaded for help from anyone who could give her some answers as to how her last of nine children died. “Fatboy loved cars and it is because of cars he died...but no one can satisfactorily give me an answer as to why he was at that spot when he died. “He was a good boy who always listened to me except when it was about cars or tinkering with any machine. “While going to school he was always in black dirty clothes fixing some car and many times he would drive them about although I warned him about it. “He never left this area, so for him to reach so far and the explanation I have gotten are a mystery.”

Matthew worked as a part- time mechanic with his brother when not at school and was called upon by drivers of the area whenever they wanted a vehicle fixed. “All I know is that my son went with several other boys to a party the night before and was sitting outside with the boys liming when he somehow got inside the car and drove it off in front everybody. “Then a while after the owner of the car visits me and says Matthew just took the car and left. Next I heard he crashed the car. When I asked how Matthew got the key, his friend “Atiba” said he left it in the ignition. “I am not satisfied with that,” ended the mother. Investigations further revealed that the A-class auto mechanic student had already made plans to open his own garage in the area. “Fatboy lived and died what he loved...cars,” continued another relative. “It is unfortunate that he died this way as he was a favourite with everyone but all we want now are proper answers.” According to an official police report, Matthew died around 7 am  after the car he was driving crashed into a tree. Police also believe the incident was caused by speeding and a smooth tyre. Cpl Doorgedeen of the Four Roads Police Station is investigating.