Former First Lady Reverend Edris O'Neal OBE who had to undergo extensive back surgery in Florida as a result of a vehicular accident. Photo: VINO/File

Lenia Smith-Hodge pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. Photo: Facebook

It was disclosed that following the accident in 2014, Rev O'Neal had to undergo extensive spinal surgery at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida, USA.

Prior to this, she was treated and initially discharged from Peebles Hospital until some days later when she started experiencing immense pain in her back which resulted in a ten day stay at Peebles Hospital before being flown out to Florida for back surgery.

Mrs Smith-Hodge pleaded guilty to the charge of driving without due care and attention when she appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards.

It was on June 4, 2014 at Pockwood Pond on the main island of Tortola when Smith-Hodge allegedly struck Rev O'Neal's vehicle from behind as both vehicles headed east.

The court heard that Smith-Hodge told police that she was driving from the West End ferry dock when the vehicle in front of her came to a stop. She said she unavoidably ran into the back of the said vehicle despite making attempts to stop. The court heard that as a result of the accident both vehicles suffered extensive damage.

Smith-Hodge was fined $250 payable by June 17, 2016 or the alternative being 30 days imprisonment if not paid.