31-Yr-Old Man Dies After Motorcycle/Car Collision

January 18, 2013

[Updated - The police have named the victim as 31-year-old Haile Matthews]

The island has recorded the second road fatality of 2013, following the death of a 31-year-old Devonshire man after a collision at around 12.45am this morning [Jan 18].

Fatal-Accident-Montpelier-Road-Bermuda-January-18-2013

Police Inspector Kuhn Evans said, “The rider has succumbed to his injuries and the Bermuda Police Service extends their condolences to his family.

“There were two occupants of the car and to my knowledge, they were not injured. Any witnesses to the accident are asked to contact police on 295-0011 or the Crime Stoppers number 800-8477.”

Video of police statement by Inspector Kuhn Evans:

Update 6.28am: Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said the collision took place at 12:46 this morning at the junction of Happy Valley Road and Montpelier Road, in Devonshire.

“It appears that a car and a motorcycle collided, resulting in the motorcycle rider being trapped under the car.”

“The 30 year old Devonshire man was eventually freed and taken to KEMH where he later was pronounced dead,” said Mr Caines. “No further information will be given until the next of kin has been notified.”

The first road fatality of the year occurred on January 6th, when 51-year-old Andrew Peniston died following a motorcycle collision on North Shore Road near the junction with Barkers Hill.

Update 11.51am: The police have identified the road traffic victim as 31 year old Haile Matthews of Devonshire. The full police statement follows below.

The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of 31 year old Haile Matthews of Devonshire.

Mr. Matthews was seriously injured when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car around 12:45am Friday, January 18th on Montpelier Road in Devonshire between the junctions of Happy Valley Road and Hesitation Lane.

Mr. Matthews was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance where he was pronounced dead by an on call doctor at 1:05am.

The investigation into this fatal collision is ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with any information should contact PC Shantia Furbert at the Roads Policing Unit on 295-0011. The Bermuda Police Service extends condolences to the family & friends of Mr. Matthews.

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Category: Accidents and fires, All, News

Comments (68)

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  1. Fallen soldier says:

    RIP. GOD BLESS THE FAMILY

  2. rob says:

    15 road deaths a year Bermuda !! Are U serious.. roads rules are easy to obey ..especially if there inforced !! Bermudas civil servants are getting away with murder ..

    • Civil Srvant says:

      rob – I have never murdered anyone, nor do I cause people to drive like pricks. Please explain.

      • Ole says:

        Please stop!

      • Micro says:

        Let’s see, most of our road deaths are speed and/or alcohol related, most of our road deaths also happen to be motorcycle riders; will even go further and include the deplorable state some of our roadways are in what with potholes, halfassed patch jobs, trenching that always needs to be done a few weeks after a fresh layer of asphalt goes down.

        Two factors that can be controlled. First factor being speed; most bike on our roads can attain speeds well in access of 100kmh, why not write it in law that all two wheeled vehicle be limited to double digit speeds?

        Second, our roadways. There should be a study sos gauge just how many of the accidents that occur on our roads are due to poor surface of our roads.
        Overly worn pavement becomes extremely smooth and slippery in even the lightest moisture. Pavement put down incorrectly may not provide the level of friction for safe driving. The many potted and patched up miles of road make for uneven surfaces that can be problematic not to mention damaging to vehicles; think straight line tracking and stopping distances and putting added stress on vehicle’s frames and tires.
        Then look at things like drainage, there are many spots on our roads where large puddles occur, or where the water does not run off the road surface when it rains.

        Not that speed, alcohol, or poor roads factored in this in death, I wasn’t there, I don’t know, these are just things that fall under Government minisitries.

        • Union Member says:

          The stats say different Micro. The data shows that overwhelmingly the road fatalaties are men and predominately they are under 40. If friction, potholes, and your argument have merit, than our fatalities will be across the board. Case closed!

          • Dope says:

            Dumb donkey. Wut kinda stats u check. If the majority of bike owners r males under 40 who u expect 2 be dyin? 41 year ol white women in wheel chairs? N u talkin bout fatalities across the board when u need a board across your head

        • sue says:

          i will really miss — luv u rest in peace

        • Bim Boss says:

          I agree with you Micro to some degree. Not all these accidents r related to speeding. I can admit these roads are crappy. First of all trenching, i am tired of seeing the roads being dug up and patched back every month. if BELCO is going to trench to do some work this week, why don’t all those who have to do work in the same area do it all the same time as BELCO so u wont have to dig it up de next 2 weeks to do their work. To be honest these patching jobs are ridiculous. Every time it rains, someone always goes down by hitting those crappy patches, I am a victim to that myself. The ones i hate most is the ones in deep corners.

    • Eastern says:

      What has this have to do with Bermuda’s Civil Servants???

    • Grizz says:

      Rob shut the hell up please!! You don’t know how the accident happened so please refrain from your BS…people are grieving right now fool!!

    • Afamily is in mourning and friends and associates are in pain and all you can come up with is pointing the finger at people that had nothing to do with the accident.

      This is a very insensative comment and you should start by apologizing to the family and friends,along with every civil servant.

      We dont know the circumstances of who was in the wrong and unfortunately a young man is no longer with us,so to the family of the decease we offer our condolonces and prayers.to the driver of the car we offer our prayers as this is something they have to live the rest of their life remembering.

      To the friends of the deceased we offer you prayers and strength to stand with the family as they will need your support greatly in the upcoming days,weeks,months and sometimes even years ahead.

      Bermuda lets use wisdom on our roads because the life we save may just be our own.

    • crying shame says:

      FYI this young man was prone to seizures and had a seizure while riding. Please allow the family and friends to moarn this tragic loss. SIP —- you will be missed terribly.

    • Biology Major says:

      Really? Don’t be so incompetent. Accidents do not always happen in terms of “road rules” and not following them. Other factors play a part such as oil spills (you’d ultimately slide out and can collide with an oncoming vehicle). For motorcycle riders these types of hazards are dangerous. Quit assuming that everyone who gets into road accidents is not following the rules of the road. Sometimes you cannot control what happens! THANKS.

    • cant fool me says:

      Rob ur a c$%^ if i was to kno who u are —- ,ur probaly not even Bermudian.U sum up everything dat is wrong when it comes to this comment section punk a%^

      • rob says:

        bet your think differently now eh ?? Fool ! Its a drinking culture ! You need to be saved from yourselves !!

    • Dope says:

      Rob u donkey!!!!!

    • Dope says:

      Jump off a cliff rob

    • Ms.0ba says:

      Really Rob!? What is wrong with u!?

  3. Ole says:

    Rob, It was 12:45am …are you serious? More important, lets simply think about the young man’s family and stop with the insensitive commentary..

  4. Yaserz? says:

    How could you be so insensitive at this time? What an idiot!

  5. Smiths says:

    Ole Thanks!

  6. Smh says:

    R.I.P —

  7. a friend says:

    MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY. I HAVE WOKEN UP TO TRULY BAD NEWS. RIP BABY WE WILL MISS YOU AND WE LOVE YOU.

  8. Serious Though says:

    Bad way to start a year !

  9. Da plumber says:

    Sad news indeed 1 month 2 gone wow so sorry to hear condolences to the family at such a sad time

  10. home time says:

    Prayers and sympathy to the family.

    Never see a reason to speed on the 21 mile long island.

  11. So sad says:

    Condolences to his family and friends at this time. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this tragic time. RIP young man.

  12. nok says:

    May God bless Bermuda we are expereince some serious times.

  13. broken!!! says:

    To the fool that be talking his trash!! its doesnt matter about all of that crap the only thing that matters is that a life is gone and thats that. nobody cares about the damm roads. think before you write $hit on here please!!! as his family and friends are really greiving right now and we dont need negative and stupid talk about $hit that dont matter.

    RIP Babes!!:(

  14. ella says:

    Rob – What the F is wrong with you. His family is grieving you f moron!

  15. Beverlyann says:

    Instead of all the assumptions of how the young man was unfortunately killed in the accident, let’s come together and offer our condolences. RIP to my dear schoolmate.

  16. Nisey says:

    You people are sick, hth does this turn to BPS or polictics a man lost his life!!! Smdh!

    RIP M gone but never forgotten *hugs*

  17. Islander says:

    Condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and people like Rob – it is not until a situation arises that they regret all statements made.

  18. cali girl says:

    We ALL see how people ride bikes on a daily basis and see near miss accidents. The commute to and from work is enough to give the average car driver a heart attack. But then are shocked and/or surprised when someone unfortunately loses his or her life. Please slow down Bermuda, life is such a wonderful & gracious gift. RIP & condolences to the family and close friends

  19. tricks are for kids says:

    RIP ——….love you guy…..gonna miss that beautiful smile…

  20. Concerned Citizen says:

    My long time Bredrin from when he and his family lived up west. Since then, I’ve seen him many times in Hamilton doing productive work, and this made me proud. He was a great example. —

  21. No!!! says:

    Bredren, words cant explain how I feel right now. I cant believe your gone, I’m going to Miss you G – S.I.P. My long time friend forever!!!!

    Need Wrigley’s

  22. cant fool me says:

    RIP TO THIS YUNG MAN MAY GOD B WIT UR FAMILY ESPECIALLY ANY KIDS U MAY HAVE BLESS!!!!

  23. Simple says:

    This makes me feel so sick to my stomach. My heart goes out to this family smh

  24. hugs says:

    To the Smiths (Aunt marshie)

    Sending so much love to you right now and many days to come. I know how much he ment to your family. He will forever live on through his kids. And to the kids please know and always remember your father loves u. RIP

  25. BermudaGirl says:

    So sorry. My heart goes out to the family.

  26. Sai says:

    RIP Garvey. My condolences go out to the family especially his daughtes.

  27. LOLA says:

    You would be a great miss my old friend. My condolences to the family, and i hope you find peace in your hearts, and remember and cherish the moments you had with him. To his daughter i hope you know that your father was a good man and he cherished you like a princess, keep and know he loved you and will forever be with you.

  28. what is wrong with this island says:

    its sad that 16-18 year olds have to be punished with having the law banning them to tow each other when majority of the collisions have been older men acting stupid on motorcycles. its not fair that this one age group has to suffer for everyone elses mistakes, rip though, very tragic.

  29. T.W.H. says:

    Heaven is waiting on you Marcus. So sad & tragic you had to leave your family here but if they know where you are going they wouldn’t shed another tear. May you rest peacefully eternally & never to be forgotten.

    Tashae’

  30. COB says:

    My Heart goes out to the family,of this young Haile. RIP

    We, recently lost an up and coming star of Bermuda, who was not my son but to me he was everything, a mild tempered, loving young man, I feel your pain. May you find strength to carry on without him, Hold on to the many Memories I’m not saying it will be easy all in due time, May you find Peace, I, wish you comfort at this time of your Loss:

    RIP Haile

  31. food friend says:

    SAW U THAT NITE MY FRIEND GOD BLESS THE FAMILY AND HIS DAUGHTERS, MUCH LOVE!

  32. Observant says:

    This is so sad; condolences to the family…HOWEVER…slow DOWN, people!!! I’m not assigning blame, but rarely will you find an accident at that time of night on quiet roads just happening without high speeds or booze involved.

  33. poochiliz says:

    R.I.P. my boy, Nuff good memory’s I have of the times and the things we have done Together. We used to Role Hard.

  34. rob says:

    I refer you to the latest head line..my condolences to everyone ..but Bermuda needs to wake up and enforce civil laws !! there there for a reason !!

  35. Bermudian Abroad says:

    RIP, M. You were a cool guy. Beautiful on inside and out. Condolences to your family and friends. May God wrap His arms around them and comfort them through this hard time. Bless.

  36. Ongoing says:

    RIP Markus Garvey

  37. James says:

    I have heard this was a medical condition that caused this so everyone should bear that in mind when commenting.

  38. spoons says:

    I did not know this young man and I do not know his family, but I am so very sad to read this awful news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family right now. He is with the Lord and at peace. RIP Haile

  39. Rochelle says:

    I didn’t know your name but you called me Moms out of respect and that Beautiful smile was a God send, one I will always remember you by. My you RIP and your family know I will.be keeping them in my prays always. God will take care of you

  40. What? says:

    RIP Garvey…Gone too soon, Jah Kno! Condolences and love the family. Bless…

  41. still in shock says:

    RIP never know your name but u always spoke to me with that smile and humble spirit. Always admired how fond you were of your children when u came in the store. Gonna miss u…..