A high-speed police pursuit turned fatal on January 20 when a vehicle crashed into a drainage canal in St Augustine, resulting in one fatality and leaving a female passenger fighting for her life. The dramatic incident unfolded within minutes, beginning in Maloney around 2 pm and concluding at the intersection of Dooksingh Street and Bassie Street Extension.
Law enforcement officials have identified the deceased driver as Joshua Samaroo. The critically injured woman, reportedly from Bamboo Settlement in Valsayn, remains unidentified as authorities continue their investigation. Both individuals were urgently transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope following the collision.
Eyewitness accounts describe a white Toyota Aqua submerged in a shallow drainage ditch at the scene, which was subsequently recovered by police tow services. Patrol officers indicated they initiated pursuit after receiving critical information through police communications systems.
While the precise circumstances triggering the chase remain under investigation, police sources confirmed the discovery of a Glock handgun within the vehicle. The recovery of the weapon suggests potential criminal activity preceding the pursuit, though official statements await completion of forensic analysis.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, examining both the events leading to the pursuit and the circumstances of the crash itself. The case has drawn attention to police pursuit protocols and public safety considerations during high-speed interventions.