April 18, 2001 – Authorities are characterizing a car crash that left two persons dead on St. Croix early Tuesday as the worst in recent history. The accident occurred when a rental vehicle traveling on the Queen Mary Highway slammed head-on at full speed into a mahogany tree, killing the driver and the passenger instantly.
Police believe that the driver, identified as 19-year-old Keith Nicholson, fell asleep at the wheel. Identification of the other victim by family members was pending. Both individuals were from St. Thomas, according to authorities, who said Nicholson resided in Estate Nadir.
The accident occurred a short distance from the Estate Whim Greathouse in Frederiksted. Police reported receiving a call at 2:32 a.m. Tuesday.
St. Croix Rescue officials said the vehicle was traveling in the eastbound lane and, apparently after the driver fell asleep, the car crossed into the westbound lane, rolled off the road and slammed into the tree. The silver Mitsubishi Mirage was reduced to a pile of tangled metal and the engine block. Rescue personnel had to use special impact tools and cutting devices to free the bodies from the wreckage.
The deaths bring to five the number of persons killed in vehicle accidents on St. Croix this year. TV 2 reported Tuesday night that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
