Tragedy struck in Trelawny yesterday as a crash on the North Coast Highway claimed the lives of 14-year-old student Tashanti Jones, carpenter Hoydene Flemming, and Brandon Gordon. Later, a four-vehicle collision in St Catherine left security guard Carlton Palmer dead. These incidents contribute to a troubling trend, with 290 road fatalities reported in Jamaica so far in 2024. Although fatalities have declined by 11 per cent, compared to last year, the authorities are urging road users to exercise greater caution.

Teen among four dead in separate motor vehicle accidents

2,000 fatalities recorded in nearly six years on nation’s roads

Jamaica Gleaner/12 Oct 2024

TASHANTI JONES, a 14-year-old female student of Muschett High School, was among three people who died in a crash along the North Coast Highway near Greenside in Trelawny yesterday morning.

The other victims are 31-yearold carpenter Hoydene Flemming and 21-year-old Brandon Gordon, all from Salt Marsh district in the parish.

The police report that around 10:30 a.m., Flemming was driving his Toyota Wish in an easterly direction when the vehicle reportedly lost control and slammed into a wall. Flemming and Gordon died on the spot, while Jones was taken to the Falmouth Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Later in the evening, Carlton Palmer, a security guard, was killed in a four-vehicle collision on the Portmore Municipal Boulevard in St Catherine. Palmer, who was stationed at the United States Embassy, died at the wheel after his Subaru Impreza collided head-on with a Toyota Probox.

A Nissan Rogue and a Toyota Harrier were also involved in the accident, which occurred around 4:30 p.m. The crash caused a gridlock in the area, leading to congestion on nearby roads.

The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) noted that although road fatalities declined in the first half of 2024, road users are being urged to exercise caution. As of October 11, the country recorded 290 road fatalities from 249 fatal collisions.

The ITA shared that compared to last year, road fatalities have decreased by 11 per cent, while fatal crashes have decreased by 18 per cent year-on-year.

From January 1, 2019 to October 11, 2024, a total of 2,000 people have died in road accidents from 1,784 fatal crashes.

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