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.

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.

ST. THOMAS — On Monday afternoon, local authorities announced the conclusion of a rigorous 30-hour search operation for 51-year-old Todman Davaughn, a St. Thomas resident.

The incident occurred near Coki Point Beach and Thatch Cay, where it was reported that Mr. Davaughn was ejected from a power boat following a crash that caused the vessel to spin out of control.

St. Thomas Rescue swiftly initiated rescue efforts, deploying a search drone. They located Mr. Davaughn’s 30-foot white Fountain boat, which was being towed to shore by an acquaintance. Despite this, Mr. Davaughn himself was not found.

In a robust response, St. Thomas Rescue deployed divers and a rescue boat, while the U.S. Coast Guard mobilized significant resources, including a helicopter, a sentry aircraft, and a 33-foot search vessel. The Coast Guard cutter Joseph Tezanos also participated, conducting extended search operations through the night.

Regrettably, the search efforts on Monday afternoon did not result in locating Mr. Davaughn, and his family was informed of this outcome.