The carnage continues on our roads. Since Christmas Eve, three people have been killed, and several others have been injured in three separate motor vehicle accidents in western Jamaica.
The dead are identified as 41-year-old Sydia Jarrett, of Friendship in Trelawny, 61-year-old Linton Watkin, a laborer of Hartford district in Westmoreland. And 52-year-old Barrington Francis, a farmer of Litchfield district in Trelawny.
According to reports, at about 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, December 25, 2022, Jarrett was among passengers traveling in a white Toyota Coaster bus along the Greenwood main road. When the vehicle collided with a black Toyota Noah minivan traveling in the opposite direction.
More than 12 persons in both vehicles sustained injuries. They were rushed to the Falmouth Hospital, where Jarrett was pronounced dead. Some passengers were treated and discharged, while others were admitted in serious condition.
Before Jarrett was killed, Francis and Watkin lost their lives in two other road accidents on Christmas Eve in Westmoreland and Trelawny.
Francis was reportedly hit by a motor vehicle while J-walking along a section of Lime Tree Road in Wait-A-Bit, Trelawny, at about 7:40 p.m. on Saturday.
He sustained head and body injuries and was taken to Falmouth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Watkins and a pillion crashed while traveling on his motorcycle along a section of the Torrington main road in Savanna-la-Mar on Saturday.
According, Police reports at about 8:30 p. m., Watkins and another man were traveling on the motorcycle. While negotiating a corner along the Torrington main road, Watkins reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, and collided into a metal signpost.
Both men got thrown from the motorcycle, and sustained head and body injuries. They were rushed to the hospital, where Watkins was pronunce dead. The pillion was admitted in serious but stable condition.
Since December 23, 2022, 465 persons have lost their lives in 404 fatal collisions. A record 487 crash fatalities were registered in 2021.