NEGRIL, Westmoreland — The spiralling road fatalities involving motorcycles in Westmoreland, including Monday’s accident in which 21-year-old Constable Curtis Lewis died from injuries he sustained when he was mowed down by a motorcyclist, has prompted the Jamaica Constabulary Force to intensify its drive to prosecute traffic violators.

The Westmoreland Police Division, which is responsible for 29 of the 194 deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents since the start of this year, is the leading parish in road fatalities.

On Tuesday, a team from the traffic headquarters, led by SSP Calvin Allen, who heads the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s traffic division, in conjunction with members of the Westmoreland police’s traffic division, conducted several operations in sections of Westmoreland in a bid to apprehend traffic violators.

“…we would have come here earlier this year with our enforcement efforts and we are back here today [Tuesday] and we will be back here in short order,” SSP Allen said.

During the operations conducted in the communities of Savanna-la-Mar, Little London and Negril the police seized 12 motorcycles, which were reportedly found without proper documentation.

At the same time, 10 bikers were either issued summonses or arrested for various traffic violations, including operating unregistered motorcycles.

“A number of the bikes that we seized today reflects what continues to happen: These bikes not being registered, not being licensed, not being insured. In fact, there was one bike that was seized that was not licensed from 2009. And what makes it worse was that when I looked at the gentleman, he was an elderly man who should know better than that,” the head of the traffic division said.

He said that on Monday afternoon, Constable Lewis – who was described as a promising young cop and who was stationed at the Negril Police Station – and another lawman were on traffic duty in the Sheffield area when Lewis signalled the driver of a yellow Suzuki 400 motorcycle to stop.

The biker, however, reportedly disobeyed the order and was attempting to speed away when the motorcycle collided with Constable Lewis who was in his path and had failed in his bid to take evasive action.

The impact of the crash severed the cop’s right leg from knee down. After the cop was rushed to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, the severed limb was found in bushes along the roadway, several feet from the point of the crash.

Constable Lewis’ colleague, who witnessed the bizarre incident, was also taken to hospital where he was treated for an elevated blood pressure. The motorcyclist was also injured.

SSP Allen stressed on Tuesday that the biker involved in the tragic accident, who was still in hospital under police guard will be slapped with multiple charges.

“The investigation is well on its way and he will be charged for the offences that he has committed. Top of the list is the death of this police officer. So in short order you will be hearing details of the number of charges that will be laid against this person,” SSP Allen said.

Meanwhile, SSP Allen told reporters that he has been informed that Constable Lewis was a devoted policeman.

“What I learnt is that this was a young policeman, but one who was dedicated and committed. In fact, speaking with his colleagues, they saw a young man with a very, very bright future. The entire Constabulary at this time is in mourning, more so those persons at this station that he would have worked very closely with,” the senior cop added.

Head of the Westmoreland Police Division Superintendent Beau Rigabie also had high praises for the fallen cop.

“He was very professional and thorough. Words are insufficient to describe him. He was a very, very, very good cop,” Rigabie said. “The organisation and the nation by extension have lost a very good individual.”