Two accidents have claimed two lives on Barbados’ roads in just 72 hours, bringing the island’s road death toll to five for the year and renewing calls for increased vigilance and road safety.
According to The Barbados Police Service, around 9:50 p.m. on Monday, a motor vehicle travelling from the Clyde Walcott Roundabout towards Bridgetown along Waterford Road struck a pedestrian, who died at the scene. The victim has not yet been formally identified. Investigations are ongoing.
This tragedy came just two nights after another fatal crash claimed the life of 48-year-old Shawn O’Brien Dorant-Knight of Seclusion Road, Black Rock. That incident occurred minutes before midnight on Saturday, when a lorry travelling along the Mighty Grynner Highway towards the Frank Worrell Roundabout veered off the road and crashed into Waves Bar and Restaurant. Dorant-Knight was killed and five other patrons were injured.
The loss has left the victim’s loved ones and community in shock. An elderly resident and longtime family friend, Peterson, said the news devastated the tight-knit family:
“Me and his father are friends… from time we were small as kids…. When you see the rainfall like this, the whole family gone to the beach—that’s how close-knit they all were… that’s a family tradition with them.”
Marlon, another family friend, told Barbados TODAY that Dorant-Knight’s relatives were desperate for answers: “What really went down? We want answers…. We want to know what really cause Shawn life… just going down so.”
“Something ‘pon the earth going on in Barbados. We want answers,” he added.
Acknowledging that the driver gave his account of the night’s events, he added: “There’s always three sides to every story—your side, my side and the truth… and we want the truth.”
Commenting on the latest facilities, President of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA), Roland Lowe, said: “Any loss of life is just too much. We really want to see change in the mindset of some who use the roads…. This is an awesome responsibility.”
He urged motorists to exercise greater care, particularly in poorly lit or secluded areas, and reminded them that pedestrians are the most vulnerable: “Pedestrians are more vulnerable than the persons in the car.”
Lowe also advised pedestrians to take precautions, such as wearing reflective or brightly coloured clothing when walking at night or in low visibility.
“Persons like to walk for exercise reasons and for other reasons—make sure that you dress appropriately, have on your reflective vests if you can, and also dress in brightly coloured clothing so that you’re most visible to motorists on the road,” he urged.
He acknowledged government efforts to improve street lighting but encouraged the public to remain proactive by reporting areas in need of attention.
“If you notice these things in your district, in your communities, contact the relevant authorities,” Lowe said.
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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