The Tribune

A MAN died in Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, after his car was involved in a collision early Saturday morning.

Police are investigating the accident, which they report occurred shortly after 3am. The victim was driving a Honda CRV on Queen’s Highway, when he collided with a flat bed truck being driven by another man.

The victim, reportedly Mario Thompson of Gregory Town, received serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators from the Police Traffic Division in New Providence were scheduled to travel to Eleuthera on Saturday to assist in the investigation.

The traffic death came a day after two best friends, including an off-duty police officer, were killed after the car they were in crashed into a utility pole in Nassau on Friday morning.

That accident also left a woman in hospital.

The incident occurred shortly after 4am off Malcolm Road. Police said they suspected that speed was a factor in the crash.

Police identified Friday’s victims as 23-year-old officer Wesley Nicholas Gaitor, the father of a six-month-old child, and Travis Delano Sweeting, 22, who was the driver of the car.

ACP Dean confirmed that the officer – who was attached to the Wulff Road station – was off duty at the time of the accident. Sweeting worked at Atlantis.

They were understood to be returning from a party to their Pinewood homes when the accident happened. Relatives said the two men had been best friends since primary school.

“Shortly after 4am, police received information of a traffic accident on East Street South and Malcolm Road. When officers arrived on the scene they found a vehicle, a white Chevy Malibu, crashed into a utility pole,” ACP Dean said.

“Officers discovered the lifeless body of two males inside. A female, who was in the back seat, received serious injuries and was taken to the hospital where she is listed as serious. This is the only car we met on the scene and it is mashed pretty badly. We suspect speed was a factor in this incident, but investigations continue.”

In a statement, the Royal Bahamas Police Force cadets said the loss of PC 3657 Gaitor “is a sad day for the force.”

“Gaitor was indeed an officer and a gentleman. Well mannered, professional and he loved policing. This news is indeed tragic and most unfortunate,” the statement said. “We extend condolences to his daughter, parents, grandmother, family members, the Royal Bahamas Police Force family, and police cadets family and his friends. May God give you peace and comfort you during this most difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”