Woman Dies Following Collision, Man Arrested
[Updated: A 22-year-old female motorcyclist died following a hit & run collision in Warwick at around 4am this morning. A light truck left the scene, as did a black car. The truck is in police custody, a 26-year-old man has been arrested, and police continue to seek information on the driver of the black car.]
The police have confirmed that a 22-year-old woman has died following a collision that occurred just before 4.00am this morning [April 18] on Middle Road in Warwick, in what the police said can be “classified as a hit and run.”
Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said it was a “very complicated scene”, saying that, “It appears that a 22 year old female was on a motorcycle with a 24 year old on the back of the cycle, she was traveling east on Middle Road.
“It appears that a car traveling on Cobbs Hill Road collided with the cycle that was traveling on Middle Road. The car then left the scene, this resulted in the two females being in the road.
“Whilst they were in the road another vehicle that was traveling west on Middle Road, it was a cycle, he tried to avoid the collision and pulled over to the side.
Update 6.19am: Audio statement from Mr Caines
“Now a vehicle, a black car, traveling west on Middle Road in Warwick he actually ran through the scene hitting the 22 year old female that was in the road, he also then hit the 37 year old cyclist that was trying to avoid the first and original scene. That driver then too then left the scene.
“This resulted in the 22 year old female being taken to KEMH where she later was pronounced dead, and the 16 year old lady is being treated for serious leg injuries.”
“The 37 year old male involved in the collision, he was arrested on the scene for what is believed to be driving while impaired. We are asking for the public’s assistance, if they have any information on the car that was traveling on Cobbs Hill Road and/or the black vehicle that was traveling west.”
“It now can be classified as a hit and run,” added Mr Caines. Saying the police are in “active pursuit” of the vehicle, Mr Caines added, “With the black car, it would be in your best interest to turn yourself into police at the soonest.”
Update 6.47am: The police said they have the light truck in custody and are actively in search of the driver” and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the black Kia Picanto which may have obvious front end damage and/or the light truck involved to contact them on 295-0011.
The full police statement is below
At approximately 4:05am Saturday morning, First Responders attended a report of a road traffic collision that took place at the junction of Middle Road and Cobbs Hill Road Warwick.
It appears that a 22 year old female motorcyclist carrying a 24 year old female pillion passenger were traveling east on Middle Road, Warwick when a truck, that was traveling north at the Junction of Cobbs Hill Road and Middle Road, collided with them. The truck immediately left the scene.
Whilst the victims were insitu in the road a second motorcyclist, a 37 year old man, was traveling west on Middle Road when he tried to avoid the victims in the road.
At this time, a black Kia Picanto car, also traveling west, drove through the collision scene making contact with one of the female victims and the 37 year old male motorcyclist. The black Kia Picanto car also left the scene.
The 22 year old female was conveyed to KEMH, were she later was pronounced dead, the 24 year old is being treated for leg injuries and the 37 year old male escaped major injuries, but was arrested, at the scene, for the suspicion of driving whilst impaired.
The area between Manse Road and Morgan’s Road and additionally Cobb’s Hill Road have been cordoned off whilst the scene is being processed by the Forensic Support Unit and Traffic Collision Investigators.
The Bermuda Police Service now have the truck in custody and are actively in search of the driver.
They are also appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have any information about the black Kia Picanto which may have obvious front end damage and/or the truck involved to contact them on 295-0011.
No further information will be given until next of kin has been notified.
Update 7.18am: The police said that a 26 year old man is in police custody.
The arrest was made in Warwick a few minutes ago, and the person arrested is a male who appears, to our view, to be in his early/mid 20s. He walked silently as he was taken into custody.
The 26 year old male being arrested.
A truck, with obvious damage, seen by where the man was arrested with police seen examining it
Update 7.58am: A police spokesperson said, “The 37 year old man who was arrested for DWI passed the test and immediately released.”
Update 9.13am: As this tragic situation is, as the police said, “very complicated”, a summary is below.
- Collision took place at 4am at the junction of Middle Rd and Cobbs Hill Rd in Warwick.
- 22 yr old female motorcyclist carrying 24 yr old female pillion passenger were traveling on Middle Rd
- A light truck collided with them and left the scene.
- Whilst the victims in the road a second motorcyclist, a 37 yr old man, tried to avoid them
- Then a car drove through the scene making contact with one female victim & the male motorcyclist
- The black car also left the scene, the second vehicle to leave
- 37 yr old male motorcyclist was arrested on suspicion of DUI, but passed the test and was released
- Unfortunately, the 22 yr old female motorcyclist has died, and the 24 yr old passenger is injured
- A 26 yr old man has been arrested and the police have the truck
- The police are still appealing for info on the driver of the black car who left the scene
- The police said the black car may have “obvious front end damage”
- If you have any information, please contact police on 295-0011.
Update 12.40pm: The police said the pillion passenger was not 16 years old as first stated, but 24 years of age, and apologized for the inconsistencies, saying “this was a very active scene and information is coming in fast and furious and officers were doing their best to work with information that was given at the time.” We have amended the information above to reflect the police clarification.
Update 1.04pm: The police issued another clarification saying, “Police after looking into images collected at the scene believe the car may be bigger than a Kia Picanto. We would like the public to be on the look out for black car with serious front end damage. Anyone with any information should contact police on 2950011.” We have amended the information above to reflect again.
Update 4.20pm: The police have officially named the victim of the collision as 22 year old La-Nae Woodley, and said they continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone who “may know the whereabouts of a black car with serious front end damage.” The full statement can be read here.
Update April 19, 4.30am: A police spokesperson said, “The black car that was involved in the road traffic fatality that took place on Saturday morning was located and a 27 year old woman has been taken into police custody as a result.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 295-0011.
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