BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) is once again coming in for criticisms following one of its own being investigated in connection with a hit-and-run traffic accident that resulted in a deadly situation.
Police reported that on the morning of July 15, officers of the Nevis Division had received reports of a “hit-and-run traffic incident in the New River area”.
Preliminary investigations revealed the victim was Florence Ella Merchant of Hickmans Village, who was seen by a passerby lying on the side of the road in the New River area around 7:00 a.m.
In a media statement issued yesterday (Jul. 18), police confirmed that “Merchant succumbed to her injuries on July 17th,2023”.
Police in their media statement stated that one person is “in custody assisting Police with the investigation”, stopping short of identifying who the individual is and whether or not he or she is a member of the RSCNPF.
However, in a media statement. Commissioner of Police James Sutton confirmed that the person suspected of being involved in the accident is a police officer.
“As Commissioner of Police, I wish to address the recent incident involving a police officer suspected of hitting a pedestrian and failing to remain at the scene. I want to assure the public that this matter will be thoroughly investigated, leaving no stone unturned. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability, and anyone found responsible will face appropriate charges.
“We ask, however, for persons who have any information that will assist the investigation to come forward and speak to investigators - we cannot solve this case without your assistance. Again, I appeal to any person who has information to come forward and speak to the Police. The Police Force takes this incident very seriously, and we are committed to maintaining transparency while we pursue justice.
“Our thoughts are with the victim and her family, and we will do everything in our power to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.”
Merchant’s death has taken to five, the number of road fatalities for the year - four on St. Kitts and the other on Nevis.
