Tommy Lee gives thanks

Deejay still recovering from November crash

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

"I was close to ghost, close to ghost, but I was saved by the Holy Ghost" is how dancehall deejay Tommy Lee Sparta describes in song surviving a car crash late last year. Speaking to Automotives, he said, "I feel blessed to know God saved me. He has a purpose for me in life."

He is still learning to walk properly after the November 9, 2013 crash. His car careened off the road near Annie Palmer Estate in St James and crashed into a tree, injuring his right leg badly. Tommy Lee was going to his birthday party.

"It was so fast, but to my mind it seemed so long. Is like it couldn't end. All mi think it done, it nuh done. Mi whole life flash cross mi mind. The whole time me a pray to God. Mi think about mi mother, mi kids, mi girl and mi career," Tommy Lee Sparta said.

The Some Bwoy performer said he lost control of the car while trying to avoid a speeding vehicle approaching his from behind. However, despite Tommy Lee's efforts, the other car clipped his.

"I was driving and, in my rear-view mirror, noticed someone going real fast. I was trying to avoid them, but that car still bounce me and push my car out of control. The car start dance, moving from left to right like a kite," Tommy Lee said.

"I know at that point that it was gonna crash, because I couldn't get the vehicle back in control. It feel like it sailing in the wind. So I prepare to take the lick. I try to steer it off the road to avoid any further collision. I see the golf course, try to aim for it and end up in a big tree," he recounted.

CRASHED IN A FLASH

He was flung from the car, but cannot remember how. "It throw me out of the front seat. After it done, me realise the car did drop pon mi foot and mi outside of the vehicle sit down same way - same position like how I was driving. It seems like a someone just lift mi out and put me to sit down right there. I have no idea how I move from the front seat to be outside a the vehicle," he said.

Tommy Lee was hospitalised with a broken femur, bruises and scratches and, as he put it, "splinters under my flesh travel through mi body."

Tommy Lee said he was treated well in hospital and is appreciative of the support he received. "All the people love me at the hospital. The staff, the other patients and fans came every day with gifts, and other artistes and people in the industry," he said.

Describing the crash as a test of his mettle, Tommy Lee thinks he has dealt with it well. " I can handle the good and the bad. It's just life. I don't see it as stress or bad. I see it as a lesson and it prove to mi that mi a survivor. Despite what come my way, mi still get over that and still a do me thing. Cause right after that me mash up Sting," he said.

Tommy Lee was travelling with a lady when the accident occurred and, describing the accident at Sting on Boxing Day 2013, he spoke about manoeuvring the car to minimise the impact on her.

The Spartan Angel deejay has maintained his sense of humour throughout the ordeal. When asked if he suffered any lingering mental and emotional repercussions from the crash, Tommy Lee replied: "No sah, mi no weakling."

Still, he admitted to having flashbacks. "Sometimes I remember it. I will never forget a dramatic situation like that," Tommy Lee said.