From left to right: Lejaurne Sonson, Deshaun Stephen and John Prince. Photo Credit: The Virgin Islands Police Department
ST. CROIX — Three men attempting to evade police during a traffic stop on Saturday on the Bypass wound up causing a 3-vehicle accident, V.I.P.D. Public Information Officer Toby Derima has announced. The suspects were arrested and charged on multiple counts after police discovered firearms and a controlled substance in the area the vehicle they were in traveled.
According to Mr. Derima, on Saturday at around 4:20 a.m., officers of the Virgin Islands Crime Initiative conducted a traffic stop on the Christiansted Bypass of a vehicle with three occupants. The driver of the vehicle, attempting to evade the officers, left the area at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle and caused a 3-car accident on Contentment Road.
Officers located two firearms and marijuana in the area that the vehicle traveled. The three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody, Mr. Derima said.
Arrested were Lejaurne Sonson, age 30, John Prince, Jr., age 23, and Deshaun Stephen, age 25. They were charged with reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, failure to maintain control of a vehicle thereby causing an accident, and delaying and obstructing an officer during the course of his duties.
Unable to post bail of $10,000 each, they were all remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advisement hearing, which may have occurred today.
Forensic and patrol officers responded to the auto accident. While processing the scene, an unrelated motorist struck a marked police vehicle, injuring 2 officers. The officers were transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries and were expected to be released, Mr. Derima said.
This incident as of Saturday was under investigation. The V.I.P.D. is asking anyone with information concerning this or any incident is asked to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at (340) 778-2211, or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1 (800) 222-8477.
You may also provide an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers USVI here.
