Accidents
Elderly Man Suffers Fatal Fall While Painting Roof in St. John
ST. JOHN — In a heartbreaking accident, 71-year-old Michael Robert lost his life after a fall from the second story of his home in St. John, as confirmed by the V.I. Police Department on Wednesday, January 3. The incident, which took place around 3:30 p.m., is currently under thorough investigation by law enforcement officials.
Michael was engaged in a painting task on his rooftop when the tragic fall occurred. His wife, who was in the house at the time, discovered him and swiftly reached out to emergency services. Despite prompt medical attention, Robert’s injuries proved fatal, as reported by the VIPD.
The police were alerted about the mishap at approximately 5:35 p.m., leading to an immediate response by emergency crews at the Myrah Keating-Smith Clinic. The VIPD’s Criminal Investigation Bureau and Major Crimes Unit are diligently working on the case, awaiting a detailed report from the medical examiner.
In light of this incident, the VIPD is appealing to the public for any relevant information. Contacts include dialing 911, reaching out to the Criminal Investigation Bureau Major Crimes Unit at 340-774-2211 ext. 5554, or providing anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers USVI.
This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder to the community about the importance of safety measures and considering professional assistance for tasks that involve significant risk.
Accidents
Tragic Early Morning Crash on Weymouth Rhymer Highway Claims Two Lives
A tragic traffic accident on Weymouth Rhymer Highway in St. Thomas led to the untimely deaths of a man and a woman early Tuesday morning. The V.I. Police Department reported that the accident happened at about 12:52 a.m., near the stretch between New Herrnhut Road and Donoe Road.
The driver, 28-year-old Vernon Ferris, was navigating a silver Acura TSX eastward when he apparently lost control of the vehicle. The car veered off the road, ascended an embankment on the eastbound shoulder, and violently collided with a tree on its right side.
Vernon Ferris and his passenger, 29-year-old Tiniesha Smith, were both killed on impact. The authorities have since informed their families of the tragic event.
Investigations into the precise cause of the crash are currently underway by the VIPD.
Accidents
Massachusetts Visitor Tragically Drowns at Trunk Bay, St. John
A day of relaxation at Trunk Bay Beach on the picturesque island of St. John ended in sorrow this Monday with the untimely passing of Chris Laslocky, a 49-year-old visitor from Massachusetts.
Authorities from the V.I. Police Department have confirmed that Laslocky encountered difficulties while swimming a significant distance from shore around 12:30 p.m. Despite managing to reach a nearby outcrop, he tragically became unresponsive after struggling and ingesting water.
Efforts by onlookers to provide immediate assistance were in vain, as Laslocky was pronounced dead following their unsuccessful attempts to revive him. The community mourns the loss of a life too soon taken and extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Laslocky during this profoundly difficult time.
Accidents
St. Thomas Resident Faces Court Following New Year’s Day Hit-and-Run
In a recent court appearance, a St. Thomas resident was charged with operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in connection to a hit-and-run incident on Veterans Drive on January 1, which resulted in a pedestrian being critically injured and left in a coma.
Durray Primus, the accused, voluntarily came forward to the Richard Callwood Command Traffic Investigation Bureau to provide his account of the events following the incident on New Year’s Day. Authorities were able to confirm Primus as the driver of a red Nissan Juke, which was captured on surveillance footage hitting a pedestrian in the troubling episode.
Investigations further uncovered that Primus was driving without a valid license at the time of the accident. His previous license had expired in 2022, and due to a restriction imposed by the Department of Justice, he was unable to obtain a renewal.
The surveillance video reviewed by the police showed the victim, dressed in dark attire and obscured by a dark jacket, attempting to cross the highway without ensuring it was safe from oncoming traffic. The pedestrian ventured into the path of Primus’s vehicle in the right eastbound lane, where traffic signals were green. Despite the pedestrian’s attempt to hurry across, the collision was inevitable, leading to severe injuries.
After the incident, the footage showed Primus momentarily opening the driver’s door and observing the injured pedestrian before leaving the scene without offering assistance.
Although the initial review of the incident suggested that Primus’s actions leading up to the collision were not deemed negligent, he faces charges for driving without a valid license and for fleeing the scene of an accident. Following these charges, Primus was detained to await further legal proceedings.
During his recent court appearance, Magistrate Simone VanHolten-Turnbull decided that Primus could be released on a $7500 unsecured bond. Conditions of his release include bi-weekly in-person check-ins at the probation office and adherence to standard bail conditions set by the court.
Primus is scheduled for a subsequent court appearance on February 23, where the case will continue to unfold.
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