Saint Lucia police have confirmed the Island’s first road fatality for 2025 following a collision involving two vehicles at Rodney Bay on Saturday.
Investigators have identified the deceased as Ivin Kenal Lucien of Chapel Street, Gros Islet, one of several people involved in the collision between a Suzuki Swift and a Mitsubishi pickup at about 5:20 am.
According to reports, Lucien was one of the persons in the Swift when the collision with the pickup, in which the driver was the sole occupant, occurred.
Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) personnel from Castries Headquarters and the Gros Islet Fire Station responded after learning of the incident and transported injured victims to the hospital.
Last year, amid serious accidents and violent attacks, the SLFS urged a collective effort to prioritise safety across the Island.
“The frequency and severity of these incidents are deeply concerning. As first responders, we continue to provide immediate care and assistance, but the root causes of these tragedies—ranging from road safety issues to violent crime—require urgent attention from all sectors of society,” SLFS spokeswoman Sherise John said last month.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
Long ago the magistrates used to suspend license pending the outcome of traffic cases. Is this still in the law books? The authorities tend to have forgotten the root of these accidents. The bright LED lights are a contributing factor to these. No one is talking about it. Just as the shootings in St. Lucia, no one is looking at the root of it, the cocaine is not been mentioned at all.
As a driver myself, I fully agree that the LED lights pose a very dangerous threat with night driving.
We need to accept that the more vehicles we have on the roads, the more collisions will happen if all else remains contant…basic statistics!! 10 years ago, you could have overtaken and no oncoming vehicle was in sight, today there WILL be an oncoming vehicle infront of you…..that’s basic statistics!!! There is also the issue of selfishness, they don’t dim their lights for you, they overtake precariously, the cut you off in traffic, they curse you, they are aggressive, they don’t signal, they break the law all the time without penalty or prosecution. This government has no clue how to curb the spikes in collisions…absolutely not a clue, maybe when it hits close to home then we will see change!
I totally agree about the Bright Led lights are a grave concern. Also with the number of vehicles on the road, and no new rods to accommodate that much vehicles. The back roads are becoming a nightmare, especially asou canal area. Motorists fail to understand its a community, where kids go to the shops, walk to school, or go get bus at the main road. They drive with top speed, cursing each other in the blind corners and narrow roads. Company trucks, coasters, name it takes this route permanently. A number of accidents have accured there. I fear for the kids. I think there should put a ban on vehicles coming in from 10yrs, and some sort of restrictions on so many vehicles coming in.
Insurances should take a page from the US.
Start taking the license of these law breakers and reckless ppl. On their phones not only talking but messaging. It’s scary driving on these roads now
It’s not the LED lights that’s the problem. It’s drivers using high beams when in normal driving situations and the use of HID-type lights. Some of these selfish drivers even drive with HID lights on high beam with their fog lights on all at once. This is a crime in certain countries. Instead of the police walking around the city with books in hand to charge anyone who stops their car on the roadside, they should be out at nights charging people for driving with these bright lights.
Anytime I encounter a driver with these bright lights, I turn mine one right back at them. An eye for an eye. This needs to stop.
We also need to accept that a lot of people driving today should not be, “period”. Defensive driving is a thing of the past. Simple curtesies and respect for the rule of law is non- existent. I expect things to get much worst. Until we get to the root of the problem, it will be an exercise in futility. The whole process from getting your learning permit, driving schools and final approval should be reevaluated and changed to reflect this urgent need for saving likes and property. In the end we all pay for the consequences. Insurance, hospital care, etc.
Motorists need to be more considerate of other road users and drive defensively all the time. Accidents are sometimes caused by incorrect decision making, such as overtaking when it is not safe to do so, or just before the crest of a hill, when one has no idea what’s on the other side. In the accident in question in the video making the rounds one can hear the driver’s companions berating him for driving so fast. Before overtaking, one should ask themselves these two questions, and only overtake if both answers are yes: Is it safe to do so? Is it necessary to do so? If both answers are positive, then go ahead and overtake, if not then just take your time, you will get there. Also, some motorists refuse to yield because they believe they have right of way, in an accident right of way doesn’t matter, if you can prevent an accident by all means do so, you can never predict how the accident will turn out.
Unlike violent crime which at times could be due to mental issues, self defense, or reaction to maybe assault or a threat, spikes in vehicular collisions can be addressed more easily. Yes we have endless vehicles on our constricted roads but this doesnt have to relate to more accidents if all laws are followed. Look at seat belts for example, you see them driving without seatbelts ALL the TIME. So if I am seeing this, why cant Law enforcement see it as well? You see them breaking the red lights all the time- if I am seeing it, why are’nt law enforcement seeing it as well? You see them with babies in the front seat of cars all the time, so why are’nt law enforcement seeing this as well? You see them riding motorbikes like they are invincible all the time, why arent law enforcement seeing this as well? The problem clearly is enforcement– this 8am – 430pm Mon to Friday policing needs to stop!!!!!!!!!!!
Nooks you are to the point. I was by the Roseau Bridge on Saturday, and I saw police vehicle parked, the other vehicles parked was in a mess, instead they rectify the matter they joined the bandwagon. I want to ask the Commissioner why all police vehicles have to operate with air-condition, if someone is calling or crying by the roadside, how will they hear or assist in any form? This has to be corrected.