Couple’s relatives devastated as case fails
Relatives of a couple killed in a deadly traffic accident say they are heartbroken and frustrated after a dangerous driving case against the accused was discontinued, leaving them without what they describe as justice or closure.
The case arose from a 2023 crash in Tobago that claimed the lives of Christian Adams and Teresa Alleyne-Adams. The couple’s relatives had hoped the matter would proceed to trial, allowing a court to fully examine the circumstances surrounding the collision. Instead, the case was brought to an abrupt end after the State indicated it would offer no further evidence.
Family members said the decision has deepened their grief, reopening wounds they have struggled to heal since the sudden loss of their loved ones. Several relatives described feeling “devastated” and “helpless,” questioning how a matter involving two deaths could end without a determination of responsibility in court.
According to reports, the prosecution reviewed the evidence and concluded there was no longer a realistic prospect of securing a conviction. As a result, the accused was discharged. While the ruling does not amount to a declaration of innocence, relatives said the outcome feels like a denial of accountability.
“This was not just an accident to us,” one family member said. “We lost a son, a daughter, a partner, a parent. We wanted answers, and we wanted the law to speak for them.”
Relatives acknowledged that legal decisions must be based on evidence and the likelihood of conviction, but maintained that the emotional toll on the families left behind has been overlooked. They said the couple’s deaths have had lasting effects on children, parents, and extended family members who continue to struggle with grief and trauma.
In the wake of the ruling, the families are calling for a review of how serious traffic cases are investigated and prosecuted, arguing that victims’ families deserve clearer explanations and stronger support when cases collapse.
As they continue to mourn, relatives say they will honour the memories of Christian Adams and Teresa Alleyne-Adams by speaking out, hoping their experience will lead to changes that prevent other families from enduring similar pain.
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