‘Soldier from birth’ - Mom says crash victim Chavane Allen always wanted to join army Mom says crash victim Chavane Allen always wanted to join army

For many parents' aspirations, the desire to witness their children 'pass the worst' or triumph over life's challenges is a cherished dream.

Chavane Allen, 24, was passionate about being a military man and joined the Jamaica Defence Force in 2019.

"From the day he was born, he aspired to join the army. So when he reached high school, his first step was to enrol in the cadet. He was an active participant in the cadet, attending camps and inspection parades," his mother, Samantha Campbell, said.

Young Allen, who was a private, was making strides toward a promising future, but tragically, that dream was abruptly shattered in a motor vehicle crash on Sunday.

As her joy has been dimmed by overwhelming grief and anger, Campbell wrestles with the incomprehensible loss of her first-born son, who was on the brink of reaching his full potential.

"It is just so much; 'hurting' does not begin to describe how I feel. I am angry, so very angry. To nurture a child, watch him reaching to the peak of his potential, only to have him taken away like this, it's beyond heartbreaking," Campbell lamented. "[I am] angry with the world, probably angry with God, I don't know. I'm just angry."

Approximately 9:35 p.m. on the tragic day, Allen was driving his Toyota Fielder motor vehicle along the Richmond main road en route to Priory in St Ann. As he approached the vicinity of the Plantation Smokehouse restaurant, his vehicle and a Toyota Axio that was going in the same direction collided with a cement truck that was heading in the opposite direction.

All three drivers were rushed to the hospital, where Allen succumbed to his injuries.

Campbell remembers her son as a well-mannered young man who had a passion for cooking. She said he touched the hearts of those who crossed his path.

"I don't remember anyone ever seeing him upset. He was always smiling," she fondly recalled.

"My son was the best person in the world, he was kind and very loving. He was extremely well-mannered, because if you passed him five times a day, he would greet you with a 'Good morning' or 'Good evening'," she said.

"Of all the memories, that boy loved to cook. He loved the kitchen and always added his unique touch to the ingredients," she said.

Campbell particularly savoured his saltfish and baked beans, a dish that was often accompanied by ground provisions.