Fatal motor vehicle crash in Jamaica leaves one dead

Kingston, Jamaica: One individual died in a fatal motor vehicle crash that took place along the Mandeville bypass in the Parish of Manchester, Jamaica. 

The accident took place between a motorcar and a heavy-duty truck at night. The deceased has not been identified yet. 

Firefighters arrived at the crash scene and removed the vehicle, which was totally crumpled. Immediately after the incident, several individuals gathered on the accident scene that led to a pile-up of traffic.

Further, no other information has been provided by the Police authorities yet, including the cause of the accident. Neither official statement has been issued by the officials. 

Earlier this month, on Monday, Kevin Smith, a pastor and Jamaican cult leader, died in a car crash. The accident occurred while police authorities were transporting Smith from Montego Bay to Kingston, where he was set to be formally charged for killing two of his followers as a sacrifice in a ritual. He has remained in custody since October 17, 2021.  

Road accidents in Jamaica – 

As per the latest data published by the WHO in the year 2018, the Caribbean island death rate due to road traffic accidents reached 252. The age-adjusted Death Rate is – 8.15 per 100,000 of population, ranks Jamaica at 131 in the world.  

While in the year 2019, 374 Jamaicans lost their lives in 342 crashes. The data shows a steady increase in the road accident rate. While the projection deaths for this year, as per the reports, states that they could cross the margin of 480. 

Seeing which, the Jamaican government has announced to implement a ‘new Road Traffic Act’ by the end of this year only, to which the Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation – Councillor Leeroy Williams has urged the government to implement the act as soon as possible. 

Previous month Councillor noted, “The amended ‘Road Traffic Act’, which contains – new offences, larger fines as well as harsher penalties for motor vehicle operators who breach the law, will assist in curbing the bad driving practices, as once caught offenders will no longer get away lightly”.