A traffic accident on Emile Francis Drive on St. Thomas claimed the life of a 26-year-old man and resulted in charges being brought against a driver Saturday evening.
According to Traffic Commander Sgt. Rosalyn Jarvis of the St. Thomas Traffic Investigation Bureau, 911 dispatch advised police of a major collision at about 8:20 p.m. The accident occurred on the Emile Francis Drive, also known as Smith Bay road, east of the Sugar Bay Resort.
The preliminary investigation indicated that a 2007 Honda Element driven by an 18-year old male was traveling westward when it was hit head on by a 1990 Honda Civic driven by 20-year-old Akeem Lettsome.
According to police, Lettsome was trying to overtake the car in front of him as the two vehicles approached a small hill when he collided with the Honda Element.
Lettsome and two passengers were extricated from the vehicle by first responders and transported to the Roy L. Schneider Regional Medical Center. Jahmoi Francis, 26, who was front seat passenger in the Honda Civic, died from his injuries at the hospital. Lettsome sustained major injuries and remains in the Intensive Care Unit. The third passenger, a 21-year old male who was in the back seat, sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the Honda Element sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital. No injuries or damages were sustained by the passengers in the vehicle Lettsome was overtaking.
Lettsome will be charged with vehicular homicide and faces other traffic charges, Sgt. Jarvis said. The vehicle he was driving was not registered, not insured and the occupants were not wearing seat belts, Traffic Investigation officers said.
