Last week was a real tragedy on the Jamaican roads, with twelve people losing their lives.
The heartbreaking loss includes a six-year-old boy and three females, as reported by the Island Traffic Authority’s Road Safety Unit (RSU) on Friday. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones affected by these devastating events.
Last week’s victims include:
- Two motorcyclists.
- Three private motor car drivers.
- Three passengers of private motor cars.
- One pedestrian.
- One pillion rider.
- The driver of a commercial motor vehicle.
The Road Safety Unit (RSU) has reported a somber statistic: 112 individuals have lost their lives in 96 fatal accidents since the beginning of this year. However, there is a glimmer of optimism amidst the bleakness, as the RSU noted a 5% decrease in fatal crashes and a 2% reduction in fatalities compared to the same period in 2023.
Looking ahead, the RSU projects a 2% drop in fatalities for 2024 as a whole compared with the previous year.
In the disturbing breakdown of these tragedies, pedestrians represent 16% of the road fatalities up to April 5, while motorcyclists account for 36%. Additionally, 18% of the fatalities are attributed to private motor vehicle drivers, with the remaining 13% comprised of passengers of private motor vehicles.
Fatal Shooting: Motorcyclist Fatally Wounded, Passenger Injured.
HANOVER, Jamaica – A biker was allegedly shot and killed, and a 13-year-old boy was reportedly shot and injured by unknown assailants on the Salt Spring main road in Hanover on Saturday night.
The deceased has been identified as 19-year-old Keith Myrie, otherwise called ‘Junior’, of Green Island in the parish, according to reports.
Reports from the Green Island Police suggest that at about 8:38 pm, Myrie was allegedly driving a motorcycle along the roadway with the teenager as the pillion when a group of motorcyclists supposedly drove up and opened gunfire at them.
Myrie supposedly lost control of the motorcycle, which then allegedly collided with a fence. When the shooting allegedly subsided, Myrie and the teen were reportedly found suffering from gunshot wounds.
They reportedly were taken to the hospital, where Myrie was pronounced dead, and the teenage boy was allegedly treated and admitted in stable condition.
The Green Island police reportedly are investigating.
13-year-old shot during targeted attack on ice cream parlor in Hanover.
HANOVER, Jamaica–A shocking incident unfolded on Saturday night as a 13-year-old boy was ruthlessly shot and wounded during a brazen attack on an ice cream parlor along the Salt Spring main road in Green Island, Hanover.
The innocent boy, a student from St. James, suffered the gunshot while enjoying a simple trip for ice cream with his mother. The assailants, riding on a motorcycle, callously opened fire on the parlor from point-blank range, leaving the young victim in need of immediate medical attention.
Despite the senseless violence, the brave mother swiftly transported her child to the hospital, where he received treatment for a gunshot wound to his upper left back.
Miraculously, he remains in stable condition. The authorities are left baffled, as no motive has yet been determined for this heinous attack. The community remains in shock and disbelief as they seek answers and justice for this appalling act of violence.
Teen Faces Charges for Chancery Lane Murder.
SHOCKING INCIDENT IN KINGSTON, JAMAICA–In a startling turn of events, a 17-year-old boy has been hit with a slew of charges in connection with the tragic shooting of 36-year-old Damian Palmer on Chancery Lane, Kingston on Tuesday, March 12.
According to reports from the Kingston Central Police, Palmer was senselessly targeted while standing with friends along the roadway when the teen and his associates, armed with firearms, callously opened fire, claiming Palmer’s life.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Palmer succumbed to his injuries.
After a thorough investigation, the teen was not only charged with another crime while in custody but also with grave offenses, including murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and the use of a firearm to commit a felony.
The police have assured the public that arrangements for the teen’s court date are swiftly underway. The community remains in shock and disbelief at this appalling event.