Less than a week into the New Year, police were yesterday investigating two incidents that claimed the lives of two Bahamian men, one the countryﾴs first traffic fatality for 2005.
Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna told the Bahama Journal that the accident occurred around 11:30pm Sunday in the Coral Harbour area.
He said Patrick Henry Lewis, 47, was riding his motorbike, license plate # 1864, when he apparently lost control and crashed into a roundabout in that area.
Mr. Lewis died on the scene.
Traffic officials continued to caution road users to exercise great care.
The Bahamas recorded 48 traffic deaths last year, 13 more than what were recorded in 2003.
Meantime, police said they were holding several persons in custody for questioning after discovering the partially decomposed body of a man believed to be in his mid to late 20ﾴs
The gruesome discovery was made around 2pm Sunday about 10 feet in bushes in the general area of Marigold Farms on Joe Farrington Road.
ﾓAt the time the body was clad in a blue jeans and thick black jacket,ﾒ Mr. Hanna said. ﾓHe appeared to have suffered some trauma to the head. His legs were also bound.ﾒ
Police said they were satisfied that the remains are that of Carmichael Road resident, Pedro Demeritte, who was reported missing around December 20.
This latest incident pushed the countryﾴs murder count for 2004 to 44, only six fewer than the previous yearﾴs record of 50.
Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
January 4, 2005
