Tragedy on Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway: Steve and Kizzy Elder Among Four Killed in Fiery Crash That Claimed 9-Year-Old Girl’s Life

Trinidad and Tobago — June 1, 2025

A devastating car accident claimed the lives of four individuals—including a young girl—and left one man seriously injured on Saturday night, May 31th, 2025, along the southbound lane of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, near the Gasparillo overpass.

According to police reports, the tragic incident occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. when a white Hyundai Creta, bearing registration number PDY 8181, was traveling south along the busy highway. For reasons yet to be determined, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the roadway and overturned violently before coming to a rest in a ditch off the shoulder.

Lives Lost in Seconds

Authorities confirmed that four occupants of the vehicle perished at the scene:

• Steve Devon Elder, 40, of Cunupia, who was driving the vehicle, died on impact. Eyewitnesses say the car flipped several times after hitting the embankment, leaving the driver trapped behind the wheel with fatal injuries. Emergency responders were unable to revive him.
• Kizzy Joseann Elder, 41, who was seated in the back seat, also died in the crash. Kizzy, a resident of Upper Erica Street, Laventille, was set to celebrate her 42nd birthday in July. Family members described her as a warm-hearted, resilient woman who was deeply devoted to her loved ones.
• A 9-year-old girl, seated in the back, also succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Her name has not been released publicly pending official identification and notification of extended family. The loss of such a young life has shocked the community, with neighbors expressing heartbreak over her untimely passing.
• Kathlyn Wright, another backseat passenger, also died in the crash. Very little information was immediately available about Wright, but those who knew her spoke of her quiet nature and kind spirit.

One Survivor Hospitalized

An unidentified man, believed to be in his early 30s, was in the front passenger seat when the accident occurred. He was the only survivor and was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital by emergency medical services. He reportedly sustained multiple injuries but was conscious at the time of rescue.

Hospital officials say he remains in stable but serious condition, and is under close medical supervision. Police are working to determine his identity and obtain a statement regarding the moments leading up to the crash.

Investigation Ongoing

Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch, along with personnel from the Gasparillo Police Station and the Southern Division, are leading the investigation. Initial assessments suggest the vehicle may have been traveling at high speed before veering off the road, though investigators have not ruled out mechanical failure or driver fatigue.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on the deceased to determine the exact causes of death. Authorities also plan to examine the vehicle’s condition and review traffic surveillance footage in the area.

Traffic on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway was backed up for several hours on Saturday night as emergency crews worked to clear the scene and conduct their preliminary inquiries.

A Community in Mourning

News of the crash has sent shockwaves through the Cunupia and Laventille communities, where the Elders and their families were well known. Neighbors and friends gathered outside their respective homes on Sunday in stunned silence, placing candles and flowers as makeshift memorials. Many expressed disbelief at the sudden loss.

“Steve was always helpful and full of life,” said one resident of Cunupia. “To hear he’s gone like this, along with Kizzy and a child—it’s just too much to process.”

Local schools have announced plans to offer counseling to students who may have known the 9-year-old girl. Community leaders have called for safer driving practices and greater vigilance, especially along highways known for speeding and accidents.

Call for Witnesses

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or who may have dashcam footage from the area around 10:00 p.m. Saturday night to come forward. Investigators are working tirelessly to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to this tragedy in hopes of providing answers to grieving families and preventing similar occurrences in the future.

As the nation mourns the loss of four lives, questions remain. How could this have happened so suddenly, and could it have been prevented?

For now, loved ones and strangers alike are left with the heartbreak of a night that turned fatal in an instant—and the memory of those who were taken far too soon.

 Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.