ST. CROIX — An accident that occurred on the Melvin Evans Highway and Paradise intersection Sunday night left a 19-year-old man dead and five other individuals traveling in another vehicle injured, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Glen Dratte has confirmed to The Consortium.
According to Mr. Dratte, the accident, which occurred at about 8:21 p.m., involved a brown 2016 4-door Toyota Corolla, which had four passengers, and a blue 2009 4-door Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima was headed south to make a right turn westbound to enter the Melvin Evans Highway from the Paradise Housing Community area, Mr. Dratte said.
As the Nissan Altima entered the highway from Paradise, it was impacted by the Toyota Corolla which was heading east. The crash thrusted the Nissan Altima into the westbound lane, killing the driver in the process. There are no stoplights at that intersection. In March, the Department of Public Works said the lights would have been repaired by July. However, a number of traffic lights on the Melvin Evans Highway have yet to be repaired five months later.
The four passengers in the 4-door Toyota Corolla were rushed to the hospital. According to Mr. Dratte, they sustained multiple injuries, including broken legs.
The victim was identified by next of kin as 19-year-old Naeem Sealey.
While the accident included a death, St. Croix Rescue Commander David Goodrich said coordination between first responder arms on the scene to help the victims — V.I.P.D., Fire Service, V.I.E.M.S. and St. Croix Rescue — was well executed.
Feature Image: Scene of the accident.
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