VIPD Urging Motorists To Exercise Caution As Vehicular Accidents Surge

The Virgin Islands Police Department on Friday urged motorists to exercise caution when driving on the territory’s roads, reminding that most roads are still dark at nights and that many of the intersections are still without working traffic lights.

The warning follows multiple accidents over the past week, some leading to serious injuries.

St. Thomas

According to police, on Wednesday at approximately 9:11 p.m., a Toyota Corolla was headed eastward on North Friday Drive, when it sideswiped a Colorado pickup truck, lost control and collided head-on into a Dodge truck.

Both the male and female victims from the Corolla, along with the Dodge truck driver were transported to Roy Lester Schneider Medical Center for treatment. All occupants were in stable condition, according to Glen Dratte, the V.I.P.D.’s public information officer.

Also on Wednesday in St. Thomas, a Hayabusa motorcycle was headed westward on Veterans Drive at around 10:34 p.m. in the area of Windward Passage Hotel, when it collided into the rear of a food cart.

The rider was said to be in critical condition and was airlifted to the mainland for further treatment, according to police.

And on the same day at around 9:33 p.m., a Honda motorcycle was headed eastward on the Moravian Highway when it collided into the rear of a Dodge Magnum vehicle. The bike rider was said to be in critical condition.

St. Croix

On Friday at about 3:59 a.m., the V.I.P.D.’s traffic division officers responded to a single auto collision which involved a male driver and male passenger, who were traveling in a 2000 Honda Civic in Gallows Bay at the Bypass’s traffic lights entrance.

Mr. Dratte said a preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle’s occupants were traveling with excessive speed on the road, which was wet. The driver lost control of the vehicle, ran up the sidewalk and wound up hitting a tree.

The driver and passenger were transported to the Juan F. Luis  Hospital by ambulance and remain in stable condition.

“As we approach the holidays, many of us have much to be thankful for. We are advising motorist to drive safely this holiday season,” said Captain Roslyn Jarvis, the V.I.P.D.’s territorial traffic commander.