Road fatalities in Jamaica. Two Jamaican women lost their lives Thursday night in separate motor vehicle accidents in Jamaica. These incidents brought road fatalities to 166 for the year.
Law enforcement officials have identified the victims as Danique Thomas, 28, from the Hibernia community in Manchester. The other victim is Ann-Marie Robinson from Stony Hill, St. Andrew.
According to the police report, Thomas died after allegedly jumping from a moving 1997 Honda Civic. The strange incident occurred along the PJ Patterson Highway near the Vineyard Toll Booth in St. Catherine. It happened at around 8:20 p.m.
Authorities say the Ferry Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the bizarre incident.
In a matter of hours later, Robinson, a passenger in a 2019 Toyota HiAce, sustained fatal injuries when the HiAce and a 2019 Honda CR-V collided. This accident occurred on Old Stony Hill Road and Long Lane in the Constant Spring, St. Andrew. It happened at approximately 11:50 p.m.
Authorities said the Constant Spring Traffic Department is investigating the fatal accident.
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) said speeding is the leading cause of Road Fatalities.
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) reported that as of July 16, Jamaica had recorded 150 fatal crashes. These resulted in 166 deaths. This marks a 20 percent decline compared to the same period last year.
Between April and June, the island recorded 75 fatal crashes and 83 road deaths. Investigators have identified speeding as the leading cause, accounting for 24 percent of fatalities.
The fatality breakdown includes 20 motorcyclists, 22 pedestrians, 21 drivers of private motor vehicles, and 12 passengers of private motor vehicles.
Unfortunately, as of July 16, St. Ann has recorded the highest number of fatal crashes with a total of 12 incidents. Next is St. Catherine, with 10 fatal crashes, followed by Westmoreland and Manchester, each with nine. St. James reported seven fatal crashes. Together, these five parishes accounted for 57 percent of all road fatalities.
The NRSC has renewed its appeal for motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians to comply with the Road Traffic Act. They urge everyone to avoid speeding and other dangerous practices and to exercise greater care on the nation’s roads.