Claudia McFarlane was a woman who was very concerned about safety, especially when it came to her family. Even in her native Jamaica, she would constantly tell her 6 children to be careful.
At 6:30 a. m. Tuesday morning, Ms. McFarlane, 56, was walking on the north side of Hillsborough Avenue near 42nd Street when she was hit by an SUV driven by Persylvia Singleton, 50.
Although Tampa Police said Ms. McFarlane was wearing dark clothing, her daughter, Suzette Clark, said her mother never wore dark clothing, and was wearing black pants, a bright floral top, pink shoes and carrying a pink purse at the time of the accident.
Police also said she had crossed six lanes of traffic when she was hit. Ms. Singleton reportedly told police she did not see Ms. McFarlane crossing the street when she hit her. Ms. McFarlane was pronounced dead at the scene, and according to police, Ms. Singleton had to be hospitalized.
Ms. Clark said her mother was on her way to work at University Village when the accident occurred.
“She left the same time every morning, and it was always dark. She didn’t drive, and walked everywhere.”
Family members said it’s unbelievable that this happened to her after she would be adamant about the dangers of crossing that area when it was dark.
Ms. Clark said her mother had been working at University Village for 5 years as a housekeeper.
Family members will remember her as a woman who enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, and listening to the traditional reggae music instead of the dancehall.
“She was a very happy woman who was free spirited and never let anything upset her,” said Ms. Clark.
“Her only social activity was going to a place where she could listen to her music.”
Police are investigating the accident, and have reported that it appears the driver was not at fault.
