Jamaican authorities are preparing to charge two individuals in connection with a horrific attack last Friday in which a 40-year-old woman was doused with gasoline and set on fire at a service station in Westmoreland parish.
The victim, Dacia Forrester, remains in critical condition in hospital with severe burns across her body. She had been due to celebrate her 41st birthday this coming Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Othneil Dobson, head of the Westmoreland Division, confirmed Sunday that two people are in custody and will be officially charged, though he declined to share further details at the time. Sources indicate that one of those in custody is a sister of the victim, who reportedly arrived on the scene and intervened during the attack.
The victim’s sister, Carol Blackwood Hewitt, said the incident stemmed from an earlier dispute with a gas pump attendant in January. She said Forrester returned to the station on February 19 simply to purchase fuel, when the attendant confronted her. During the altercation that followed, the attendant allegedly used the fuel pump to douse Forrester before setting her alight with a lighter.
Race to Fund Life-Saving Treatment
Jamaica has no burn unit, and doctors say Forrester urgently needs to be airlifted overseas for specialized treatment. The Burn Foundation of Jamaica has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to cover air ambulance costs, estimated at US$55,000. A hospital in the United States has already agreed to accept Forrester as a patient, and a private entity there has committed to covering her medical expenses — but the air transport funding remains the critical barrier.
So far, a GoFundMe campaign has raised just under US$6,000, far short of the target.
GoFundMe link – https://tinyurl.com/4mjkshee
Co-founder Stephen Josephs said time is running out. He urged the public to look past misinformation circulating on social media, where a number of posts have painted Forrester as the aggressor and discouraged people from donating. Some commenters have even expressed hope for her death, which Josephs and other advocates described as both disturbing and dangerous.
“We are trying to prevent a murder and a murder charge,” Josephs said, urging Jamaicans and international supporters to step forward.
How to Help
Those wishing to contribute to Forrester’s care can contact the Burn Foundation of Jamaica at 876-344-7028 or donate online at crisissupportcharity.org.
This story involves an ongoing police investigation. No charges have been formally laid at the time of publication.
