Trini schol winner killed in Miami crash

A Trinidadian studying abroad, Marcelino Heraldo Elliott, died hours after his car, driven by wife Daniella, crashed into a tree en route to the Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida around seven o’clock Wednesday morning. Elliot, 28, died at hospital. His wife, Daniella, 26, has since been discharged and is nursing chest injuries. According to relatives, the two had left their Tampa, Florida home that morning and were on their way to Miami International to catch a flight to Trinidad. While reports remain sketchy, Sunday Newsday learned that Daniella lost control of the car, ran off the road and hit a tree. Marcelino, who sat in the front passenger seat, received a severe blow to the back of the head by a suitcase on the car’s impact. The car was said to have wrapped around the tree.

Marcelino, also known as “Plaits,” was the son of Erasmus and Clothilda Elliott of Clovis Trace, Paramin Village, Maraval. He was the youngest of five children. Marcelino left for the US a few years ago after receiving a football scholarship for Concordia College in Alabama. He played football for his alma mater, Trinity College, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago National Football u-17 team. He also studied at the University of South Florida, and was making preparations to pursue a Master’s degree in Economics. He was employed at Chase Bank. Marcelino and Daniella had been married for three years. His last visit to Trinidad was 2002. His sister Giovanna said: “He was missing us and all he wanted to do was visit his family.

He was the most loving person, friendly, very outspoken and was coming back home to go fishing, enjoy the beach and all the things he loved. He was always responsible, focused and had concern for all. He always wanted to solve everybody’s problems.” Both Marcelino and Daniella formerly worked at RBTT, Park Street branch. Marcelino had plans of becoming a businessman. Daniella comes from the Williams family of Tunapuna. “Marcelino used to call her “Nia.” She’s a joyful person and is always smiling. The two always shared a strong bond,” said his eldest sister, Antoinette. Marcelino’s mother left for Miami, yesterday, to make arrangements to bring her son’s body back home. Funeral arrangements are still to be finalised.