UPDATE: Calm restored after motorcyclist killed in crash with cops
WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – The police are reporting that calm has been restored in the town of Negril, Westmoreland, which was on Wednesday morning the scene of protest action. Read: Negril residents protest motorcyclist’s death in reported crash with cops
The protest by residents was due to the death of a motorcyclist who was involved in a traffic collision with a police service vehicle on the Nampriel main road in the parish early Wednesday morning.
The dead man has been identified as 26-year-old Noval McInnis of Red Ground in Negril.
Meanwhile, the police have reported that members of the Divisional Command have met with the family members of the deceased man, and have assured them that the incident will be thoroughly investigated, without prejudice or impartiality.
The police have also said that the scene of the crash was thoroughly examined by the Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit (AIRU) and the findings will be submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a determination to be made.
Preliminary reports from the police are that about 1:40 am, McInnis was driving a Suzuki Accent scooter motorcycle, allegedly collided with a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck — a police service vehicle. The service vehicle, which was reportedly responding to an assignment of an intruder on premises, subsequently crashed into an embankment on the right side of the road, damaging both tyres on that side of the vehicle.
McInnis was reportedly taken to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The police officers were not injured.
The police say they are now investigating reports of the involvement of a second motorcyclist in the incident, and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the crash to contact them at 957-4268.
“A strong police presence remains on the ground and lawmen are reminding residents that their right to protest must be carried out within the prescribed guidelines,” a media release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit said.