BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TRAGEDY struck Sandy Point this afternoon (Aug. 11) when a hit-and-run accident left one dead at the foot of Farm’s Road.
Around 3:30 p.m., SKNVibes arrived on the scene of the accident and witnessed the body of a middle-aged Stapleton Village man lying belly-up on the ground near a construction hole in which he was working.
Confirmed reports inform that the victim, an engineer at Telecommunications and Electrical Cable Services (TECS), was contracted by telecoms provider LIME to construct an underground cable box in the Island Main Road, immediately adjacent to the Sandy Point Market.
According to unconfirmed reports, at the time of the accident the victim had just climbed out of a four-foot hole when a navy-blue rental car (R 173) came speeding in a westbound direction. The car travelled past the traffic barricades and allegedly knocked the man from his feet, causing injuries to his head and limbs. District Medical Officer Dr. Oduntun pronounced the man dead at roughly 3:20 p.m.
Reports from witnesses indicated that the driver of R 173 attempted to take a left turn down Pedro Street, but could not continue westward due to road construction. The driver allegedly then made an attempt to travel eastward and was forced to travel in the wrong direction on one-way Millard Street to avoid the police station just a few metres ahead.
Police officers at the Sandy Point Police Station stated that they observed the speeding vehicle and quickly responded in hot pursuit of the motorist heading eastbound out of Sandy Point. Police immediately contacted officers at the Old Road station and collaborated to catch the perpetrators.
Within less than five minutes, police from both Sandy Point and Old Road were able to close in on the vehicle as it slowed to a stop in Verchilds. SKNVibes confirmed that one shot was fired by the pursuing officers to warn the driver and passengers to end the chase.
It was also confirmed that the passengers were able to flee the scene, but the driver of the vehicle was arrested and brought to the Sandy Point Police Station for questioning. No one was charged at press time.
Police officials on the scene refused to give any further comment regarding the details of the accident. They did, however, affirm that investigations will continue and a press release with appropriate details would be issued at the soonest possible time.
