The grieving family of Patrick Vernal Gibson, a 63-year-old retired customs officer killed in a devastating hit-and-run incident, is urgently calling for criminal charges against the driver responsible for his death. The tragedy occurred on December 9 at the intersection of East Street and Andros Avenue, where Gibson was struck by a vehicle traveling at high speed while crossing the road after visiting a convenience store.
According to police reports, the motorist dragged Gibson several feet before abandoning both the scene and the vehicle—a Honda Accord—which remained pinned on top of the victim. His sister, Rosemary Thompson, emotionally asserted that her brother might have survived had the driver not fled. ‘If he had stayed,’ she explained, ‘he could have reversed the car instead of leaving it crushing him. My brother might have been in the hospital today, not the morgue.’
Thompson discovered news of the accident online while in Florida, though she had been in The Bahamas on the night of the incident. Despite reassurances from acquaintances that the victim was not her brother, she received official confirmation of his death from police just one day later—cutting her trip short.
The family is now grappling not only with profound loss but also with unresolved questions regarding the driver’s swift release from custody. Although a suspect was detained for two days, he was released following legal intervention. Authorities indicated that the case must first go before a Coroner’s Court before any charges are filed.
Gibson, described as a sweet and loving man who was unmarried and childless, had shared a home with Thompson for nearly a decade. His other sister, Theresa Capron, traveled from Grand Bahama to New Providence following the incident, noting the profound impact of his death on their close-knit family. Both sisters highlighted Gibson’s cheerful nature and his quiet contributions to household chores and family life.
As the holiday season approaches, the family acknowledges that their celebratory plans have been shattered. Thompson solemnly stated, ‘We had plans, but I don’t see myself celebrating.’ They remain resolved in their pursuit of justice and accountability for Gibson’s untimely and tragic death.