BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER four months of investigation and public outcry over the death of Dr. Simoneth Williams, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a vehicular accident in December 2024, police have charged a suspect.
Lennox Nathaniel Greaves of Molyneux has been charged with Causing death by Careless Driving, contrary to Section 50, Subsection 4 of the Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.
On the night of December 20, 2024, Dr. Williams was reportedly struck while walking along the Island Main Road in New Road, near the fence line of the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport’s runway.
The death, coupled with the prolonged silence around the investigation, sparked public outcry. In the latest development, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Adlai Smith confirmed the charge against Greaves.
"This decision follows a careful and comprehensive review of all the available evidence including a report prepared by a professional road accident investigator,” the DPP said. “The investigation has revealed that the accused driving an SUV licenced P9071 was travelling in the direction of Bassererre when the vehicle collided with Dr. Williams who was a pedestrian at the time.
Contrary to earlier speculation, Smith clarified that “the evidence does not support the existence of foul play nor deliberate intent on the part of the driver in relation to the cause of Dr. Williams's death”.
Against this backdrop, Smith urged all drivers using the St. Peter's Main Road, the New Road area, and all roads across the Federation to exercise "sense caution and vigilance when driving particularly at night”.
Driving in that particular area can be challenging as street lighting at night is inadequate.
Meanwhile, Smith also announced that he has advised the Police Force to charge an individual—whose name was not disclosed—with Manslaughter by Gross Negligence in relation to a fatal accident that occurred on March 22, 2025, along the Island Main Road near Whitegate, Deep Bay.
In that case, Shanique Vinnie Harvey of Deep Bay died after the vehicle in which she was a passenger crashed. According to a police media statement, the accident happened between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on March 22, 2025.
It was revealed that the driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, lost control of the vehicle, which then collided with a tree and overturned. Eight people sustained serious injuries, and Harvey succumbed to her injuries.
The incident occured amid growing concern from residents, law enforcement, and the government, all calling on the public to drive with greater care and responsibility. DPP Smith echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift regarding road safety.
Explaining the gravity of the new charge, Smith said:
"Well, manslaughter by gross negligence arises when a person having a duty to take reasonable care breaches that duty so seriously that it results in the death of another. Now, in the context of road usage, this can include reckless or dangerous driving practises. It is a very serious offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment."
He contnued: "Let me repeat that again. Causing death in these circumstances manslaughter by gross negligence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Now my office believes that in light of the alarming rise in fatal traffic accidents the time has come to consider in appropriate cases charges of manslaughter rather than treating road deaths as mere traffic infractions.
Smith also issued a stern warning to public transportation providers, stating:
"In particular, public transportation providers to include bus and taxi operators must be reminded that they bear an even higher duty given that their conduct can endanger the lives of multiple passengers at the same time. The risk posed by negligent or reckless public service driving in the federation is real and it is deadly."
He pointed out that as DPP, he has personally observed troubling driving behaviors such as overtaking on blind hills, overtaking while approaching roundabouts or corners, excessive speeding through residential zones, and speeding on wet roads.
“These actions are dangerous, irresponsible, and in many cases criminal," Smith said. "
He emphasized that, "A moment's carelessness can destroy lives and with that said going forward the director public prosecutions office will adopt a more robust approach where drivers cause injury even if it does not result in death."
Smith urged drivers to slow down, especially in dark or unfamiliar areas:
