The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

A 27-year-old Royal Bahamas Defence Force marine has been identified as the man fatally struck during a traffic accident early Sunday morning.

Marine mechanic Raynaldo King, a seven-year veteran of the force, was reportedly riding his 1999 Honda 650X trail bike east on Poinciana Drive when he collided with a 2007 silver Honda just after midnight.

According to reports, King sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedics, where he later died.

The driver of the vehicle, a woman, was subsequently treated for minor injuries.

News of King’s death spread across social media quickly, with family members, friends and colleagues expressing grief over his passing, many of whom questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.

Many posting messages praised King’s character, his love for his family and his involvement with Junkanoo.

In a post of his own, King’s father, Raymond King, director of the Port Department and a decorated RBDF officer in his own right, shared a photo of his late son posing in a Junkanoo costume with the caption: “In profound memory of my son (Raynaldo Doran King Senior).”

Representatives from both the RBDF and the One Family Junkanoo group acknowledged the passing of King.

A RBDF spokesperson confirmed King had been a member of the force since February of 2012, expecting to mark his seven year anniversary in few weeks.

As for the One Family group, several of King’s comrades expressed sorrow over his passing, taking to social media to remember his legacy.

Meanwhile, in an interview with The Tribune yesterday, officer-in-charge of the Traffic Division, Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs confirmed investigations into the accident are ongoing. He said the driver of the vehicle that collided with King was still assisting officers with the matter.

CSP Stubbs said police could conclude their investigation as early as the end of the week. King’s death marked the first traffic fatality of the year.