Man arrested in deadly hit-and-run

Royal Cayman Islands Police arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that occurred late Friday night.

The suspect was arrested in the early morning hours Sunday in George Town on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. 

A 52-year-old man died late Friday after being struck by an older model white Toyota Starlet on Crewe Road, George Town.

Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officers said the car involved did not stop and made off from the scene.

At about 11.05pm Friday, police said the victim parked his van on the airport side of Crewe Road near to the Mango Tree Restaurant.

Investigating officers said the man left his vehicle and attempted to walk across the road towards the restaurant when he was struck by an oncoming car. The car failed to stop.

Witnesses who arrived on the scene immediately following the incident have said they saw a small white car – similar in size and shape to a Hyundai Accent – making off towards the roundabout, heading in the direction of the airport.

The 52-year-old man suffered serious head injuries in the incident and
was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital, George Town, where he later
died.

Police officers later positively identified the vehicle involved as a white Toyota Starlet, between 1996 and 2000 model years.

The hit-and-run vehicle was also recovered by police and is being processed for forensic evidence.

Officers would still like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the relevant time and witnessed the wreck or the car making off from the scene.

Anyone with information should contact the RCIPS Traffic Department on 946-6254 or Crime Stoppers 800 –8477 (TIPS).

Friday night’s smash is the sixth fatal accident to occur on Grand Cayman this year. 

It is also the fourth major hit-and-run accident of the year that police have investigated.

Local resident Mike Jervis, 59, died last month after he was apparently struck by a vehicle while on his bicycle in June along Eastern Avenue. 

In July, two women, Rose-Marie Sanderson and Joan Walters were struck as they walked along Mount Pleasant Road in West Bay. Both suffered serious injuries, but did survive. 

In January, again in West Bay, a 54-year-old woman and a 20-year old woman were also hit by a driver who – according to police reports – dragged one of the victims out of the road at the four-stop intersection before leaving the scene. The 54-year-old – a domestic helper – was flown to a Jamaica hospital in critical condition.

Arrests were made in both the West Bay hit-and-run cases, but no arrests have been reported in Mr. Jervis’ death. Police actually did not notify the public that Mr. Jervis had been in an accident until six weeks after it happened. 

There is currently an internal investigation being conducted to determine why that delay occurred.