WITHORN, Westmoreland —– Preliminary indicators have suggested that speeding may be behind a two-vehicle collision which left a father and his three-month-old infant dead on the Waterworks Road in Westmoreland on Sunday.

The impact reportedly resulted in the baby being flung from the moving vehicle.

The two have been identified as 22-year-old labourer Ronaldo Kirlew of a Galloway, Logwood, Whithorn address in the parish and his three-month-old child, Dinario Kirlew.

Reports from the Westmoreland police are that about 7:30 am Kirlew was driving a Toyota Mark X motor car along the Waterworks roadway when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a parked Toyota Axio motor car. The impact resulted in the Mark X becoming airborne.

Deputy superintendent of police in charge of operations for the Westmoreland Division, Shaunjaye Mitchell has offered sympathies to the family.

““We extend our deepest condolence to the families affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this incredibly difficult time,”” said DSP Mitchell.

He hinted that speeding that may have contributed to the incident, and issued a reminder to Jamaicans to adhere to the road safety laws.

““As investigations continue we are reminding all motorists of the importance of adhering to speed limits and exercising caution on the roads. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of road fatalities, and we urge drivers to slow down, remain vigilant, and prioritise the safety of all road users,”” said DSP Mitchell.

““We, as the police, will remain committed to enforcing road safety laws and will continue to work tirelessly to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring. We ask the public to cooperate and make our roads safer for everyone,”” added DSP Mitchell.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Westmoreland Central George Wright knew Kirlew and has expressed condolence to the grieving family.

“He was a very hard-working young man, you know, in the community; [he was also] a family oriented person. And, you know, I just think that that’s one of those unfortunate situations that arise,”” stated Wright.

The police Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit, along with the Savanna-la-Mar police, are conducting investigations to determine the circumstances behind the collision.

The Westmoreland incident came some 24 hours after three people died and two others were injured in a motor vehicle crash along Eastwood Park Road, in St Andrew.

The police reported that about 3:00 am a motor car was travelling north along Eastwood Park Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle which then veered further right off the roadway onto a private property, crashing into a wall and a wooden utility pole.