Oct. 17, 2009 — A St. Thomas corrections officer allegedly slammed into two pedestrians and three parked vehicles Thursday evening near the western end of Charlotte Amalie, causing several injuries and extensive auto damage.
According to Public Information Officer Melody Rames of the VIPD, the accident occurred around 8:13 p.m. when a 54-year-old St. Thomas man in a 2002 Ford Explorer collided with three parked cars near the intersection of Moravian Highway and Crown Mt. Rd.
Two pedestrians were injured, one of them 32 years old, the other 19. The 32-year-old pedestrian sustained severe head injuries, and the 19-year-old, a resident of Lindbergh Bay, complained of back and shoulder pain.
The driver received minor scratches. A 39-year-old passenger, a resident of Estate Mariendahl, received lacerations to the head, Rames said. All four were transported by ambulance to Schneider Regional Medical Center.
Department of Justice spokeswoman Sara Lezama was asked Friday about unconfirmed reports that the driver was tested at the scene and was above the legal alcohol limit, was a corrections officer and may have brandished a firearm in a confrontation with one of the injured pedestrians. Lezama said she had heard similar accounts, but had no official information.
"I have heard that talk, but it is just rumor and speculation right now," she said. "I can confirm there was a corrections officer in an accident that involved at least one pedestrian. I can't release any names because as of today, the person was not charged or arrested, was not advised of their rights today or anything of that nature."
Lezama said she would try to have more information Saturday.
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