Road victim was ‘a caring, dedicated mother’
A woman who died after a collision last week was named by police yesterday as Lovella Cruz, of the Philippines.
The 48-year-old mother of two was described later by a friend as a hard worker who was dedicated to her family.
She was on her motorcycle when the collision happened at about 10.50pm on Thursday.
A statement from the Bermuda Police Service yesterday explained that Ms Cruz was riding east along Somerset Road, Sandys, near the junction with Cricket Lane.
It was said that a car travelling in the opposite direction crossed the centre line and the vehicles collided.
The statement added: “Ms Cruz was transported via ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment for her injuries but sadly, was pronounced dead a short time later.
“The motor car driver, a 35-year-old Bermudian male, was not injured in the collision. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.”
Ms Cruz came to Bermuda in 2018 and was initially employed as a cleaner, before taking up a job as a caregiver.
Ruth Clark, who shared a house with her in Hamilton, said that her friend was travelling home from a shift when the tragedy happened.
She recalled how Ms Cruz was working hard and just a few days before the incident talked about "all the hours she was putting in”.
Ms Clark added: “She loved being here in Bermuda, but she lived for her husband and two sons.
“She was the only breadwinner in the family and she was saving to help pay for her boys’ education as they are at university now. But she was also an excellent caregiver.
“She worked with people who were terminally ill, the dying, and she was so good at her job because of her personality ‒ very kind and caring and considerate of others.
“She worked so hard but she was always happy because she loved to give and she knew that, by working here in Bermuda, she was able to give to her family back home.”
Ms Clark said that she contacted Ms Cruz’s husband to tell him that his wife had died.
She said: “That’s the hardest thing I had to do. It’s so hard for them right now, because they don’t really know what’s going on. They want to come to Bermuda, but that’s not really possible.”
Before coming to the island, Ms Cruz worked as a caregiver in Israel.
She was able to travel to the Philippines in September — the first time she had been home to see her family in seven years.
Ms Clark said: “She had a really wonderful vacation and I’m so glad that she was able to make it home one last time.”
The Bermuda Police Service appealed to the public not to share video footage of the most recent fatal road traffic collision.
A spokesman for the BPS said: “Sharing the video could potentially jeopardise the ongoing investigation into this matter.
“Further, we ask that you adhere to fundamental values such as mutual respect, kindness and consider the impact on the family of the deceased at this time
“Consider how you would feel were it your relative, close friend or colleague seen in that video, particularly if viewing for the first time.
“Should you receive the video, please delete it from your device and do not forward it on.”
An investigation continued yesterday into the collision, which marked the thirteenth road fatality of 2023.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Sergeant Anton Gilbert of the roads policing unit on 717 2338 or by e-mail at agilbert@bps.bm.
• UPDATE: This article has been updated with a request from the police not to share footage of the incident.
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