Alberto “Bert” Fabrisco Samuel was the life of the party and had a personality that was admired by many.
Samuel, 36, lost his life yesterday morning after spending a night out with friends.
He died at the scene along Belle Gully, St Michael, when the car in which he was travelling struck a guard wall at around 4 a.m.
Driver, 19-year-old Sara Gibson of Dodds Land, St Philip, was transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by ambulance, complaining of chest pain. She also suffered a broken leg.
Samuel’s family and friends were still trying to come to grips with his untimely passing and were too distraught to speak.
Yesterday, the family huddled together at Indian Ground, St Peter. They declined an interview, but tear-stained faces and puffy eyes told the tale of a family grieving for their fallen loved one. Some of them had been at the scene in Belle Gully.
“He was a really nice person. And was always willing to help,” a family member, who asked not to be identified, briefly said.
Samuel’s party buddies from the group Black Barrel Boyz were equally distraught, grieving the loss of the man they described as “the party starter”.
The group could be seen at many parties, especially during the Crop Over season, with their branded shirts #blackbarrelboyz being the life of the party.
Group leader Jamal Carmichael, who was also Samuel’s roommate, was at a loss for words during a telephone call.
Carmichael said he was still in disbelief that his friend of many years was gone “just like that”.
“Right now I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe Bert gone. The group isn’t taking it well at all. It’s just so hard at this point,” Carmichael said through sobs.
A close friend of the group, Zico Greene, said he too was in shock and Samuel’s presence would definitely be missed, especially at the event the group was planning for early February.
“If we were going out, you didn’t even have to ask if Bert was going; that was a no-brainer. He was always willing to help out. We have lost a wonderful personality and I know for sure we won’t ever find another like him in this life,” Greene said.
On social media, many posted the hashtag #Ripbert, also expressing their disbelief that Samuel was gone.
He is the second road fatality for 2018. (DB)
