KEVON FELMINE
Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
The local music industry is mourning the death of veteran 96.1 WE FM DJ Clyde “Clyde de Outlaw” Jemmott, who died in an accident along the recently opened Archibald-Deleon Highway yesterday.
Jemmott’s friend Johan Redhead, an announcer at Next 99.1 FM, also suffered a severe head injury and is warded in critical condition at the Point Fortin Hospital.
Jemmott became the third accident victim along that particular stretch of the highway.
Kerlan Sutherland, 39, and Otis Roach, died in a smash-up along the highway on October 13, hours before Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley officially opened it.
Police reports stated that Jemmott, 56, of Coconut Drive, Morvant, and Redhead, 35, of Vistabella, San Fernando, and another person were occupants of a white Kia car which was travelling from Point Fortin towards San Fernando at the time of the accident.
As they reached a makeshift roundabout in Guapo around 4.30 am, the car flipped and slammed into a utility pole, pitching Jemmott out the car.
There is, however, another report which suggests the accident threw two victims out the car, while Redhead crawled out.
When Guapo police and Point Fortin firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the car overturned with the utility pole lying on it. The victims were unconscious but breathing. However, Jemmott had severe head injuries.
Guardian Media attempted to speak to Jemmott’s family yesterday, but they were too distraught.
However, several of Jemmott’s friends, family and colleague took to social media to express condolences.
Radio DJ Leo “Beats by Robin” Cabellero wrote on Facebook that he spent Saturday with Jemmott at a cookout. Cabellero then took Jemmott home, as the veteran DJ said he had a party to attend in Point Fortin.
“I say, Clyde, just be safe on the road, and we will talk tomorrow, not knowing that would be your last,” Cabellero wrote.
Anthony “Chinese Laundry” Chow Lin On, managing director of 96.1 WE FM, did not respond to calls. However, he asked for time to process the death via his Facebook page.
Several Soca stars also expressed condolences, including Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez, who wrote that Jemmott was one of the coolest and nicest humans he met and was always levelheaded.
“I have seen many people who stepped into his space, just calm, right down and cool to his level of irie. Clyde was one of the illest DJs/selectors this country ever birthed, and his family and friends should always be proud of him. You will be missed, brother. Condolences go out to Clyde’s loved ones and close ones in all quarters. Fly high, king,” Alvarez wrote in a post on Instagram.
Fayann Lyons-Alvarez also said it was not the news she expected anytime soon.
“You’ve been a pillar in our musical lives especially and always had a positive energy to give. We will truly miss you. RIP and fly high. Condolences to your family. Rest easy, king,” Lyons-Alvarez wrote.