5-vehicle crash: Cops checking if negligence a factor
COPS probing a five-vehicle collision involving a Coaster bus and four motorbikes on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston on Thursday night, which left one dead, are seeking to determine whether negligence was a contributing factor.
According to a report produced by the constabulary’s Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), the crash occurred about 10:20 pm along Marcus Garvey Drive in the vicinity of 9th Street. It involved a white 2022 Toyota Coaster motor bus, an orange Missile motorcycle; a pink and black Daylight motorcycle, a black Missile motorbike, and a blue Missile motorcycle.
Up to news time Friday, the sole male motorcyclist who died in the collision was yet to be identified. Cops also were uncertain of his age.
According to PSTEB, possible causes of the crash include “turning around on the road negligently, apparent error of judgement, or negligence and excess speed with no regard to condition”.
Reportedly, the driver of the Coaster, which was in the left lane on reaching the intersection of 9th Avenue, attempted to turn right across the middle and right lane, resulting in the motorcycles that were in the middle and right lane crashing into the side of the vehicle.
A video seen by the Jamaica Observer, purportedly of the moments just before the crash, shows that the bikers, which included an unidentified female, wore no protective gears.
In the meantime, up to Thursday PSTEB said there have been a total of 47 collisions since January and 52 deaths. For the same period last year there were 51 collisions and 59 deaths. Over the same January to February period in 2023 there were 48 collisions and 52 deaths.