Miami Consul:

THE THREE other persons killed in Saturday night’s accident in Fort Lauderdale were yesterday confirmed as Trinidadians who migrated to the US several years ago.

Ramdeo Sirju, 23, Darrin Nandlal, 26, and Andria Ramoutar, 22, all of North Lauderdale were killed in a fiery accident at Cypress Creek Road, near Florida’s Turnpike on Sunday morning. The other victim was Sarika “Sherry” Ramlochan, 25, who was earlier identified as a Trinidadian.

Yesterday Harvey Borris, TT’s Consul in Miami confirmed to Newsday that the four friends, who all attended the Coconut Creek High School, were from south Trinidad.

He said a request had been made to the US Embassy here in Port-of-Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visas for relatives of the Nandlal family, to attend the funeral tomorrow.

Borris expressed sadness at the tragic event, saying they were “productive, constructive persons with bright futures.” Borris said today he and other officials will visit the families to assist with erecting tents for the funeral service. Baldeo Nandlal, the 65-year-old father of Darrin, told Newsday yesterday he and his family migrated to the US 16 years ago, and are expected to receive their citizenship later this year. He has three other children and two grandchildren.

Baldeo said Darrin was employed as an accountant with the Broward Country Government Centre, and was “soft spoken and humble”. He was not married.

Baldeo said Darrin worked extremely hard and usually would go out on weekends. He said when he did not see his son return home by early Sunday morning, he called several hospitals. He said the news was shocking and his wife, Premawatee who celebrated her 50th birthday yesterday, was devastated and in need of moral support. Baldeo recalled that Darrin had promised to do something special for his mother.

“He bought himself jewelry and clothes and told his mother before going out that he looked handsome, and she should take a photo of him,” said Baldeo.

He said Premawatee took the photo with Darrin against his Blue Honda Civic, not knowing that it would be his last.

Baldeo confirmed that the Consulate was trying to assist in getting visas to enable Darrin’s grandparents, aunts and uncles to travel to the US for the funeral.

He said, “They took care of him when he was small and they really want to come for the funeral.”

Baldeo said although he was not too close with the others who died in the accident, the families agreed that there will be one funeral service and the bodies will be cremated.

The lone survivor in the crash, Darryl Sookram, 23, is warded at the Broward General Medical Centre. Police have said that at around 5.15 am on Sunday a Volkswagen Jetta driven by Ramoutar stopped at a light at Northwest 31st Avenue.

A white Acura Integra pulled up beside the Jetta driven by Johnathan Matthews, 19, and when the light changed both cars took off, reaching 90 mph or faster. At least one of the drivers lost control and hit a guardrail and a tree before colliding with the other vehicle. The Jetta in which the Trinidadians were occupants then caught fire.