Family of young victim still yearning for closure
Family and friends of a young woman who was killed in a traffic accident in Gozo are still yearning for closure eight months after the tragic incident.
Jessica Tabone, 22, was accompanying a friend home after a night out when the car she was riding in was involved in a headon crash in the early hours of 19 April. Pictures of the crash in Xlendi Road seem to show that the second car – a Vauxhall Insigna – was on the wrong side of the road at the time of impact. The Vauxhall was being driven by a 20-year-old man from Għasri. The man was reportedly a freshly-graduated police officer who, according to sources was sacked soon after the incident. Ms Tabone died on impact. Both her friend - a 25-year-old man from Victoria - and the 20-year-old were treated for injuries.
Eight months after the incident, Jessica’s family and friends are still hoping for answers.
Her grandfather, Noel Scerri, told The Malta Independent that the family is still being told by the police that they are still waiting for the result of the blood-alcohol test carried out on the 20-year-old driver. Mr Scerri said he finds it hard to believe that such a test could take more than eight months to come out. “We just want to know the truth about what happened,” he said.
Jessica and my daughter were like sisters
This paper also spoke to Toni Ann Muscat, a close friend of the Tabone family, who is also eagerly waiting for news. “Many people, including police officers, often ask me if we have had any news about the case. All of us, the family especially, need some closure.”
We just want to know the truth about what happened
Mrs Muscat says her daughter Kim and Jessica grew up together and were like sisters. She recounted what happened on that dreadful night. “The girls were out at a bar. Jessica did not drive that night because she knew they would have a couple of drinks. We had always told them over and over again not to drink and drive. Jessica made a mistake that night – she felt sorry for a newly-made friend who had been drinking and accepted to accompany him home, to make sure he arrived safely. Then it happened.”
“I’m sure she had him going at a normal speed, had an eye out for him. It was a mistake.”
Mrs Muscat says the case could turn out to be more complicated than one thinks as she suspects that Jessica’s friend was also under the influence of alcohol. “I wish I knew more. This is so frustrating.”
She was loved by everyone
Mrs Muscat spoke very highly about Jessica. “She was so full of energy, happy-go-lucky and helpful. She wanted to help everyone.” She says she was surprised by the huge crowd that turned up for Jessica’s funeral. “I hadn’t known she was so loved. She had studied in the UK and had made so many friends. Some of them even came over from Australia to pay their last respects.”
Ms Tabone had undertaken a course in media studies and was even involved in the local film industry. She had done some work for the Brangelina movie ‘By the Sea,’ which was filmed in Gozo, and is even listed in the ending credits. She had also been appointed as a personal assistant to one of the actors starring in Michal Bay’s ‘13 Hours,’ James Badge-Dale. “Filming was due to start the Monday after the accident but she had already met the actor and was helping him around. I believe she was with him on the day she died. He was so upset by the tragedy that he refused a replacement.”
Jessica was saving to continue studying abroad
“Jessica was doing something she enjoyed. She was saving money to continue her studies in the UK.” Mrs Muscat says the tragedy scarred many of Jessica’s friends. “My daughter just could not stay in Malta and left for America. Everything reminded her of her friend. This has obviously had a tremendous effect on her family and friends. Her mother is my best friend.”
Toni Ann says she still visits Jessica’s grave every couple of days to pray for her lost friend.
As a result of this terrible tragedy, Toni Ann founded the NGO JESS. (Justice to Ensure Safer Streets) in Jessica’s honour. The NGO aims to raise awareness about road safety. “I swore that I would do something after Jessica’s death because I don’t want any more families to go through such a horrible experience. I cannot imagine how I would feel if Jessica were my daughter.”
Mrs Muscat says she has already spoken to President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who was shocked on hearing the story. She now hopes to have a meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. “If I manage to save at least one life, then I would have succeeded.”
Questions sent to the police about the incident on Wednesday remained unanswered by the time of going to print.