Aquina Wilkins, 8, misses school and activity. But it's brothers Bryant and Durontae she misses most.
By SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER
Published April 16, 2004
[Times photo: Toni Sandys ]
"I miss school a lot," said 8-year old Aquina Wilkins, who, with her mother, Lisa, at her side, spoke for the first time Thursday about the March 31 hit-and-run accident. "When I get my cast off, I'm going to run, and I'm going to play, and I'm going to go to Red Lobster."
She longs to return to her class at Clark Elementary School.
She wants to get rid of the cast on her leg so she can ride her bicycle again and run around outside with her best friend Emily.
Most of all, 8-year-old Aquina misses her big brother, Bryant Wilkins, and her little brother Durontae Caldwell. Thursday, 15 days after the hit-and-run crash that killed 13-year-old Bryant and 3-year-old Durontae, Aquina spoke publicly for the first time. Her mother, Lisa, was at her side.
"I miss school a lot," Aquina said, clutching a Strawberry Shortcake cup and a Barbie purse.
"When I get my cast off, I'm going to run, and I'm going to play, and I'm going to go to Red Lobster."
Asked what she thought of all the television cameras, she said: "It's amazing. I've never been on TV before!"
At the request of Lisa Wilkins' attorney, Thomas Parnell, reporters did not ask Aquina what she remembers about the accident - specifically whether there was more than one car involved.
Lisa Wilkins said she hasn't been able to get any details out of Aquina, who has nightmares about the crash and insists on sleeping in her mother's bed. "She just has a dark hole right now that I can't fill," said Wilkins, 29. "Only her brothers can fill that."
Wilkins said she is not worried about the pace of the investigation into the accident.
Her comments came just hours after members of the Uhuru Movement passed out fliers in front of the downtown courthouse that featured a picture of 28-year-old dance teacher Jennifer Porter and asked: "Why is this white woman not in jail now? Why, because the justice system works in two ways: To uphold and protect the lives of white people. To destroy the lives of black people."
Porter, of Land O' Lakes, appeared at a news conference last week at which her lawyer, Barry Cohen, said she was the driver of the Toyota Echo that authorities think was involved in the hit-and-run.
She has not been charged but apologized at the news conference. Her lawyer said she fled out of fear.
Lisa Wilkins said Thursday that she would like to talk to Porter. "I want to know "Why?' " Wilkins said. "But it still won't bring my boys back."
Wilkins, due to have a girl in July, said she will name her Heaven, as a reminder of where Bryant and Durontae have gone.
- Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at svansickler@sptimes.com or 813 226-3373.
