Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 8, 2018 – Police said Sunday that 20-year-old Tau Johnson ran a red light at Baker’s Corner and lost control of his motorcycle when he attempted to manoeuvre between vehicles.
“The accident occurred at about 4:15 p.m. along Wellington Road in the vicinity of the Old Public Works Department. Preliminary investigations have revealed that 20-year-old Tau Johnson of Buckley’s Housing Project was riding a motor cycle when police officers on patrol attempted to stop him in the vicinity of College Street Ghuat. The officers got out of their vehicle and signalled for him to stop and he did not. They returned to their vehicle and chased after him,” the police statement said.
The statement said Johnson continued fleeing the police and ran a red light at Baker’s Corner.
“While driving along Wellington Road, Johnson attempted to manoeuvre between vehicles, lost control of the motor cycle and fell. He was transported to the J.N.F. Hospital via the Emergency Medical Service where he was later pronounced dead,” said the police statement.
“Investigations so far have also revealed that the Police vehicle maintained some distance behind Johnson while in pursuit. At no point in time did the police vehicle come into contact with Johnson or the motor cycle he was riding,” said the police statement.
It said the matter is still being investigated by the Traffic Department and an appeal is being made to persons who witnessed the incident to contact the Department to share any information they might have with the police.
An autopsy will be performed on the body of Tau Johnson to determine the exact cause of death.
There is however unconfirmed reports that police allegedly knocked the youth off his bike and calls have been made for an independent investigation.
The police statement did not say whether Johnson’s motorcycle hit another vehicle although an earlier version of the police report being circulated said “while attempting to manoeuvre between some vehicles lost control and fell.”
Persons are however of the view that if there are cameras in the area and they are working, an independent investigation might have to look at the footage and hear evidence from eyewitnesses willing to come forward to determine how 20 year old Tau Johnson died.