Investigations are underway into multiple traffic accidents that occurred on Eleuthera’s roads within the first two months of 2025, including three fatalities.
The first recorded traffic fatality (this fatality has since been reclassified as a medical incident) happened on Thursday morning, January 9th in Tarpum Bay. Officers from the Rock Sound Police Station, were said to have responded to an overturned vehicle incident on the south side of the Queens Highway, shortly before 9:00 a.m. On the scene, they found a white four-door Nissan Bluebird vehicle with no occupants inside. Reports say that medical personnel had transported the lone male occupant of the overturned car, identified as 51 year-old Mr. Jason West of Hatchet Bay, to the Rock Sound Clinic.
The officers visited the clinic and observed the driver being evaluated by medical personnel, who indicated that Mr. West had a medical history, and was complaining of chest pains following the accident. A tentative diagnosis, reports say, indicated that the driver needed further medical attention, and an air ambulance was called to airlift him to New Providence. However, just-under three hours after the reported time of the accident, at 11:48 a.m., Mr. West passed away. The exact circumstances surrounding this accident were unclear, according to initial reports. However, local authorities confirmed that the incident since then has been reclassified, as the victim was determined to have suffered a heart attack during the time of the incident.
Four weeks later, in Upper Bogue on the evening of Friday, February 7th, 2025, local police responded to reports of an accident around 6:45 p.m. At the scene, officers reported seeing a gold Nissan Bluebird vehicle with extensive damage which had collided with a building. The male driver, who was the sole occupant of the car, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was later identified as Mr. Perez Wilson Neely, a security officer who worked at an area resort.
Yet another fatal road accident took place, just one week later, on Saturday evening, February 15th, when 46 year-old Mr. Frank Curtis of Rock Sound, who was the sole occupant in his green SUV at the time of the accident, perished after his vehicle collided with a utility pole before catching ablaze, just south of Jack’s Bay, on Queen’s Highway, off Chris Brown Boulevard. Police were alerted to the incident around 7:40 p.m., and on arrival at the scene, found the jeep fully engulfed in flames in a bushy area, with a snapped utility pole nearby. Fire fighters extinguished the fire, and the victim, who police believe to have been ejected, was found lifeless, some distance away in the bushes. Investigations into these incidents continue, say police.
Superintendent of Police Franklyn Neely, current Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), confirmed that the number of overall car accidents on the island, compared to the same time last year, indicates an uptick in the number of incidents, and strongly urged Eleuthera’s motoring public ‘to exercise caution, obey traffic laws, and drive responsibly to prevent such tragedies’.
“This is concerning, especially as the Easter Holiday approaches,” expressed Superintendent Neely. He continued, “Our department urges the community to take immediate action in prioritizing road safety. Reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving continue to be significant contributors to fatal accidents, and we are committed to addressing these issues with increased enforcement and public awareness. We ask that all drivers remain vigilant and aware of the risks involved in everyday travel. This includes obeying speed limits, staying focused on the road, and never driving under the influence. In the wake of these tragedies we stand firm in our commitment to improving safety for all who share the road. We encourage everyone to drive responsibly to help prevent further unnecessary loss of life.”
Outlining some of the actions being taken by police to combat the rising numbers of accidents, Superintendent Neely, shared, “The Eleuthera police are focused on reducing the number of traffic accidents on the island. Our concern for public safety is paramount. We will continue to introduce proactive measures to prevent further traffic fatalities by enforcement of all traffic laws, increasing public awareness and high police visibility on the streets.”
He further admonished, “We are advising all to buckle up, drive safe, don’t consume alcohol while driving and be courteous to other road users. Please drive safely and be mindful of others on the streets.”
