COLE BAY–A police officer who arrived on the scene of the traffic accident that turned ugly in Simpson Bay on Sunday morning fired a warning shot, the Prosecutor’s Office said in a press release on Tuesday.
Two persons, the driver of the Hummer R.A.P. (27) and his father R.P. (56), are in custody on charges of threats and assault following the head-on collision.
The accident involving a black Hummer and a red Toyota car occurred near Daily Extra Supermarket in Cole Bay around 1:45am Sunday, March 4. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, a police officer was threatened during the incident, resulting in the officer firing a warning shot. The status of the officer involved in the incident, and whether he has been or will be placed on suspension during the investigation, could not be ascertained.
An investigation is ongoing, and suspects and witnesses will be questioned in the coming days, as well video footage of the incident being studied.
The Prosecutor’s Office calls on anyone who may have witnessed the accident to come forward and give their recollection of the incident. Persons who may have recorded this incident on their mobile phones are asked to make these videos available to the police.
The Prosecutor’s Office said criminal investigations conducted by the local police, with accountability to the Prosecutor’s Office, aim to establish facts in a case. The Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes suspects if there is sufficient evidence to do so, in accordance with the laws of St. Maarten and in strict accordance with the principle of impartiality, the release said.
According to reports, the driver of the black Hummer was coming from Simpson Bay and attempted to filter into the road to Cole Bay, when the driver of a red Elantra reportedly lost control and slammed head-on into the Hummer. None of the passengers or drivers sustained any injuries during the accident. The driver of the Elantra informed police that the driver of the Hummer had been very aggressive towards him.
The driver of the Hummer and his father were asked to visit the police station in Philipsburg and were arrested on arrival.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/74372-cop-fired-warning-shot-in-accident-that-turned-ugly
View comments
Hide comments