After a close encounter with death just over three years ago in a motor vehicle accident, Francis Giraudy, popularly known as Junior of Corinth, Gros-Islet, was reportedly warned by family and friends to give up riding motorcycles.
“I told him personally after he was released from hospital that he should avoid bikes.. we all talked to him,” a friend, who wished to remain anonymous, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO), hours after this newspaper reported that Giraudy succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident that occurred on Sunday, March 20, 2016, about 9:45 p.m. on the Vieux Fort Highway, in the Canelles area.
In a release on Monday (March 21), police said motorcycle, registration number PK200, was being driven by Giraudy when it ran off the “pitch surface of the road”.
Police said Giraudy sustained multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at St. Jude Hospital.
Giraudy’s friend told SNO that he was devastated when he heard about Giraudy’s death, but he was not surprised.
“In 2012 he almost lost his life in the North. He sustained multiple broken bones, fractures. He had to do multiple surgeries for injuries all over his body – on his face, head, hands, legs; he had broken ribs…and metal plates and screws were inserted to keep things in place. When he was released from hospital he did not look like the Junior we all knew and loved. His face and body was disfigured. I warned mate, let that be the last time, because he has no luck on the roads, especially with bikes. I told him we don’t want to lose him because he is young, he is a father, and has a lot ahead of him. He smiled and said he will be back as soon as he is well,” the friend explained.
The 2012 accident in Rodney Bay where Giraudy was seriously injured.
The incident the friend is referring to occurred on Saturday, July 7, 2012, about 1:15 p.m. at the Rodney Bay roundabout, Gros-Islet, according to the police press release, which further stated:
“On arrival at the scene, officers received information that motor pick-up, registration number 1010, driven by 35-year-old Christopher Hunte of Bonneterre, was travelling along the said road in an easterly direction when he came into contact with a black motor cycle travelling in the opposite direction. The rider was identified as 23-year-old Francis Giraudy, also known as Junior of Corinth, Gros Islet. At the time of the accident the motor cycle did not carry a registration number.
This photo was reportedly taken sometime after Giraudy was released from hospital in 2012.
“As a result of the impact, Francis Giraudy sustained serious injuries and was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was treated and is currently admitted in a critical condition. Both vehicles received serious damage. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.”
Stemming from that 2012 accident, Giraudy was charged with driving without due care and attention, no insurance, failure to produce certificate of insurance, failure to produce driver’s license for inspection, and driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license or permit, according to court records, available online.
The outcome of this court case is not immediately known.
Two months after this near-death accident, Giraudy commented on a photo on his Facebook page: “Love u. Soon we will ride again. The world boss cah stay down.”
In the photo, he was on a motorcycle with a female.
Giraudy, who was reportedly involved in several other minor accidents over the past years, also lost several friends in motorcycle/motor vehicle collisions.
The young father was sold and rented used vehicles. He also did some mechanic work, friends told SNO.
He was also described a generous individual who would go out his way to assist anyone, and was well known for cracking jokes since his days in high school.
Writing on Facebook, in tribute to Giraudy, a friend stated: “Jr was one of my true friends he never left my side through thick and thin he was there and i still see him there.love you with all my heart g and no one will take that away.”.
Another friend stated on the social media site: “It captured his dimples.. Even in Form I he felt he was a “big man!!Smh…”Miss dem children so immature.. I a big man”…. What a sad beginning of my day…”
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