Candlelight Service To Be Held Friday For Zion James, Who Died In California Car Accident

A candlelight service will be held on Friday at the Frederiksted dock for Zion James, 18, whose tragic death during a car accident in Cloverdale, California on Tuesday night shocked many in the St. Croix community.

The gathering, beginning at 5:00 p.m., will offer Mr. James’s family the opportunity to “shed the light and positivity that Zion was able to put in our lives,” reads a flyer of the event which was sent to The Consortium. Some in attendance will be asked to share their favorable memories of Mr. James; some will also be asked to pray.

There will be a moment of silence, speeches from family and friends, raps, poetry and songs. “Bring good vibes and an open heart,” concludes the flyer.

According to a report from Press Democrat, a newspaper in Santa Rosa since 1857, which cited CHP, California’s traffic incident website, the accident, a rollover crash, occurred on Highway 101 north of Cloverdale. The publication said three other individuals suffered minor injuries, including two women from Ukiah, California ages 24 and 18, along with another man from the territory. It was not clear whether the other Virgin Islander was from the St. Croix or St. Thomas-St. John district.

The crash, which occurred at about 6:00 p.m. according to Press Democrat, involved a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero traveling north, just beyond Geysers Road.

It was not known as of Tuesday night why the 24-year-old Ukia woman lost control of the vehicle, according to CHP. However, the two men, who officers believe were not wearing seat belts according to Press Democrat, were thrown out of the vehicle. The Press Democrat report added that the female passenger from Ukiah managed to get out the vehicle on her own, but firefighters had to help the driver.

Mr. James died on the scene, but the three survivors were taken to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Press Democrat said the crash response and investigation caused traffic problems as officers temporarily funneled drivers in both directions down to one lane.