Strengthening of law enforcement after the Boxing Day road tragedies

A second motorist lost his life on the roads of the Cayman Islands over the holidays following an accident on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway on the afternoon of Boxing Day.

This single-vehicle collision, where the car caught fire after hitting a tree, occurred hours after the sad death of Romario Jacquet, 26, an airport worker, in another similar accident.

These two tragedies have led the police force to redeploy more officers for traffic operations and issue a new call for caution to drivers.

In a statement released Friday, Chief Superintendent Brad Ebanks called the deaths “true tragedies.”

“However, I must say that the behavior observed recently on our roads is appalling. This year we have recorded 14 traffic-related deaths, including 4 in December alone. It is clear that standards of conduct have deteriorated. Even fatal collisions did not seem to really influence the behavior of many road users, who still show a disregard for road safety,” he added.

Collision resulting in fire

In this latest tragic event, at around 4.30pm on Boxing Day, police and other emergency services were called to a serious accident on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway, near Canal Point Drive, involving a Honda Fit.

It was reported that five people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash. The Honda Fit was traveling northbound when it left the roadway, struck a tree and then caught fire.

Emergency Medical Services and the Cayman Islands Fire Department responded to the scene. The fire was brought under control and all five occupants of the vehicle were transported to Cayman Islands Hospital by ambulance, with two of them in critical condition. The driver was pronounced dead shortly after.

The four other occupants remain hospitalized, including one in critical condition, while the others are receiving treatment for serious injuries, according to police.

Identification of the first fatal accident victim

The first fatal accident tragically occurred the same day, shortly after 2:20 a.m. on Shamrock Road, near Midway Close, according to reports from law enforcement. This accident involved a Subaru traveling east that left the road and struck a tree.

Medical services arrived on scene and three occupants of the car were taken to hospital, while one was taken in a private vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead, and the other three are also hospitalized.

The driver was identified by family and media as Romario Jacquet, 26, a Jamaican national living in Rockfort, east of Kingston.

In an interview with Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner, Jacquet’s father, Bikela Jacquet, said he welcomed his son to the Cayman Islands two and a half years ago. Romario, nicknamed Mari by his father, was working at Owen Roberts Airport and was returning home from an office party when the accident occurred. At 26, he had plans to build his dream home in Jamaica.

These Boxing Day incidents come just one day after a multi-vehicle collision on Shamrock Road on Christmas Day, near Beach Bay Road.

Those injured, including a child, in the three-vehicle crash which occurred shortly before 5:50 p.m. on Christmas Day, have since been released from hospital.

Increased police presence on the roads

In light of this series of serious accidents over the holidays, RCIPS has redeployed additional resources for road safety operations, and motorists can expect an increased police presence on the roads in the days to come. Police continue to urge road users to drive carefully, not drive under the influence of alcohol, avoid speeding and not use their mobile phones while driving.

The police department launched its annual Winter Guardian campaign before Christmas. This week, law enforcement reported 36 crashes, made 4 arrests for drink driving, and prosecuted 30 people for various other traffic offenses as part of the operation.

Police also support the National Drug Council’s Arrive Alive 345 campaign, of which Compass Media is also a sponsor. This includes the Designated Driver Program, an initiative among local restaurants to offer free non-alcoholic beverages to designated drivers.

On New Year’s Eve, the Purple Ribbon bus service will offer free transportation between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. in all districts of Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.