NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Family members of well-known businessman Brent Johnson, 51, and his wife, Eulona, 49, are “heartbroken” and “crushed” over the death of the couple, who were killed in a three-car collision on West Bay Street on Christmas Day.
The couple’s two daughters, who were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, were in stable condition and recovering as of yesterday.
According to police reports, a burgundy Nissan March was traveling east on West Bay Street when the driver of a black Honda Accord traveling west overtook the vehicle but collided with it.
The third vehicle, a black Chevy Malibu that was also traveling west, also hit the Nissan March in the collision.
One bystander, who called emergency services, described the scene as a “nightmare”.
Several people sprung into action to try to assist those injured, including a pregnant woman who was reportedly suffering from a severe leg injury.
Johnson and his wife died on the scene.
Their daughters, Kinza, 16, and Sarni,12, along with the drivers of the other vehicles, were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Johnson’s sister, Kendea Smith, told Eyewitness News that she spoke to him earlier that day and is still trying to grasp the reality of the ordeal.
“We are still very devastated. We are shattered. We are completely heartbroken over the loss of Brent,” Smith said.
She described Johnson as a fun-loving, smart and wonderful man who was the “greatest big brother ever” and the “light of our lives”.
She noted that he was a mentor, a coach, an athlete — who represented The Bahamas at CARIFTA and won top awards in track and field — and a consummate businessman who “lived such a full wonderful life”.
Smith recalled that Johnson, who was 18 years older than her, had a big part in raising her and her brother, Kishno Jones, even before their mother’s death in 2007.
“He taught me so much in my life. He never missed an occasion. He never missed a chance to tell me Happy Birthday and, later on in life, Happy Mother’s Day.
“He was so fun-loving and smart; he could light up any room. He was very welcoming.”
Smith said her bother loved his family more than anything, especially his wife, whom “he would do anything for”.
“His family was his life.”
As for the two daughters the couple left behind, Smith said: “They will always be taken care of… Their recovery is going to be a long road to recovery just physically and emotionally because their parents were very much involved in their lives… It’s just so devastating to lose two parents at once.”
Smith added that she does not know what the future will bring, given the incident happened on such an unforgettable day like Christmas, which meant so much to their family.
An outpouring of messages of love and support was shared on social media about Johnson and the impact he made throughout his life.
He was well-known for his gelato store Sweet Life in the Mall at Marathon, which he co-owned with his wife who baked cakes and treats, as well as other business ventures and his athleticism.
Johnson’s brother, Kishno, remembered the father of two as “a shining light wherever he traversed”.
He described him as a sweet soul who was very personable, even with people he didn’t know.
“Brent walked and talked with absolute confidence. He would light up any room he walked in with his humor and wit. He definitely was the life of the room. The man had charm,” Jones told Eyewitness News.
“Brent had an ambition and drive that, if allowed to reach its potential and fully manifest, would have continued to break barriers here in The Bahamas.
“He was a person who thought outside the box, an innovator of sorts.”
Jones recalled that his brother had dreams of expanding his gelato business in The Bahamas and launching his local flavors into the tourism market.
“Brent always reached for more, dreamed for more. He was a class act of a man who was exposed to the world,” he said.
“…He made everyone he met feel like family with his welcoming spirit. Most of all, his love for his family was paramount.”
Jones said the loss of his brother feels like “the nation got robbed of a jewel”.
