MANDEVILLE, JAMAICA – A devastating late-evening collision on the Winston Jones Highway in Mandeville has claimed one life and left five other people hospitalized, according to official law enforcement updates. The victim, identified by police and family members as Dave Ebanks Jr, widely known by his nickname “DJ”, worked at Holsum Bakery located in the Manchester community of Williamsfield. He died after succumbing to critical trauma suffered in the head-on crash that unfolded on Monday.
Preliminary law enforcement accounts place the time of the incident at approximately 9:00 p.m. Reports outline that Ebanks was operating a Honda Integra heading uphill along the highway when he lost control of his vehicle. The car then collided head-on with a downhill-bound Toyota Wish, a vehicle registered as a public passenger taxi that was carrying five passengers at the time of the crash.
First responders including local firefighters and police officers arrived at the crash site promptly, where they extricated Ebanks from his heavily damaged vehicle and coordinated emergency transport for all injured parties to a nearby medical facility. Ebanks was pronounced dead by medical staff shortly after arriving at the hospital, while the five occupants of the taxi were admitted for overnight care for their injuries.
Investigating officers at the scene noted that the crash occurred in an area with solid unbroken white lane markings, an indicator that passing is prohibited. Based on initial site assessments, law enforcement says speeding and illegal improper overtaking are the most likely contributing factors to the fatal collision. The case is currently being handled jointly by the Manchester Traffic Department and the Area Three Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit, which are conducting a full probe to confirm the exact cause of the incident.
Local authorities have reminded motorists to obey all traffic markings and speed limits, particularly on winding or hilly highways, to prevent similar tragic incidents.