Tue, 2023-06-20

Throughout the National Heroes’ Day holiday weekend, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) proactively monitored various social events, such as the carnival themed parties, as well as liquor licensed premises in the City of Hamilton and in other areas outside of the city. BPS officers also conducted road sobriety checkpoints across the island.

While there were no major incidents of anti-social behaviour, the following is an overview of relevant policing activity and an update on two BPS motorcyclists.

Road Sobriety Checkpoints (Friday, 16th June through Monday, 19th June 2023)

There were 537 motorist engagements for sobriety checks, with 8 arrested on suspicion of impaired driving. In addition, 56 stop and searches were conducted, with 8 people arrested for outstanding warrants and one person arrested for drug possession.

A total of 35 moving violation tickets were also issued and 22 motorists received official written warnings.

For the month of June so far (up to 20th June 2023), 20 people have been arrested for impaired driving offences.

The Bermuda Police Service continues to advise that if you consume alcohol – do not ride, or drive.

Carnival Events (Thursday, 15th June through Monday, 19th June 2023)

There were 83 stop and searches conducted and 8 arrests for a combination of drugs and/or outstanding warrants.

A total of 19 moving violation tickets were also issued, with one motorist receiving an official written warning.

BPS Officers Injured in Separate Collisions Discharged From Hospital, Recovering

Two BPS motorcyclists injured in separate night time collisions (Friday, 16th June and Sunday, 18th June) have been discharged from the hospital and continue to recover at home. Inquiries into both collisions continue.

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Tue, 2023-06-20

Around 3:37am on Tuesday 20th June 2023, police were dispatched to a report of a collision on Malabar Road, at the junction with Heydon Road, Sandys.

Initial information suggests that at least one male was involved. The circumstances of the accident remain unclear, as the victim had been conveyed to Port Royal Fire Station in a private motorcar, before being transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance.

Despite life saving efforts by EMTs, the male has succumbed to his injuries; making this the 9th reported fatal collision for 2023.

Traffic is being diverted onto Heydon Road, while traffic accident investigators process the scene.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or anyone who has information surrounding the circumstances, to contact Roads Policing Unit on 247-1788.

We are particularly interested in speaking with the persons who were at the initial scene, at or around the time of the collision or those who may have assisted immediately after.

Update: Thursday, 22nd June - The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of 17-year-old Michael Spence-Durrant, Bermuda’s ninth road fatality of 2023, and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.

It is now believed that Mr. Spence-Durrant was seriously hurt when the motorcycle he was riding out of Dockyard along Malabar Road, Sandys parish struck a concrete bench in a grassy area near the junction with Heydon Road, around 3:37am Tuesday, 20th June 2023.

He was conveyed to Port Royal Fire Station in a private vehicle for medical treatment, before being rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance.

However, despite all lifesaving efforts the teen, understood to have been a Warwick resident, was pronounced dead later Tuesday morning.

A BPS Family Liaison Officer continues to provide relevant support to Mr. Spence-Durrant’s family.

The appeal continues for any witnesses, or anyone with information about the circumstances, to contact Constable Victor Fishington of the Roads Policing Unit on 247-1788 or e-mail vfishington@bps.bm.

Alternatively, please share any information that you may have with a police officer you’re familiar with.

In particular, persons who were travelling along Malabar Road, Sandys parish near Heydon Road at or around the time of this fatal collision – or those who may have assisted immediately after – are once again urged to come forward.

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Sun, 2023-06-18

Shortly after 11:20 a.m. on Sunday, June 18th, 2023, police responded to a report of willful damage at the Dellwood Middle School on North Street, Pembroke.

Upon arrival officers observed graffiti spray painted on a number of walls inside the school’s compound and a glass door damaged.

An investigation into this matter has commenced and no further information will be provided by the Bermuda Police Service at this time.

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Sun, 2023-06-18

Around 10:17pm on Sunday 18th June 2023, police motor cycles were on mobile patrol in the area of Trimingham Hill Paget, when one of the officers were involved in a single vehicle collision.

The officer has been transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he is being treated for injuries, which are not believed to be serious.

Traffic diversions are in place at north and south roundabouts, while traffic accident investigators process the scene.

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Sat, 2023-06-17

Around 10:40pm on Friday 16th June 2023, motorcycle police were on mobile patrol, headed west along North Street, near the junction with Court Street (Tills Hill) Pembroke, when a light truck traveling in an easterly direction attempted to make a right hand turn on to Court Street and collided with one of the police motorcycles.

The officer involved has been transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of multiple injuries, the extent of which is not known at this time.

The male driver of the truck has been arrested on suspicion of impaired driving.

Traffic diversions are in place at North Street / Dutton Avenue and North Street / Angle Street and the top of Tills Hill, while police process the scene.

Anyone who witnessed this collision is asked to contact Sgt. Anthony Smith on 247-1431 or asmith@bps.bm.

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Thu, 2023-06-15

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of 69-year-old American visitor Duane Presti, Bermuda’s eighth road fatality of 2023, and extends sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends.

Mr. Presti was riding a rental scooter – with his visiting 67-year-old American wife as pillion passenger – when a collision occurred with a local 50-year-old male motorcyclist along Mullet Bay Road, St. George’s around 3:20pm Tuesday, 6th June 2023.

The 69-year-old American visitor was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment. He was later flown to a U.S. hospital for further medical care, where he would ultimately be pronounced dead on Wednesday, 14th June 2023.

A BPS Family Liaison Officer continues to provide relevant support to Mr. Presti’s wife, who sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The local motorcyclist also received treatment at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Any additional witnesses to this fatal collision are urged to come forward.

Anyone with related information that can assist is now encouraged to call Constable Junior Warner of the Roads Policing Unit on 247-1788, or e-mail jwarner@bps.bm.

Alternatively, please share any information that you may have with a police officer you’re familiar with.

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Wed, 2023-06-14

Superintendent Sean Field-Lament – “With the National Heroes’ Day holiday weekend almost upon us, the public can look forward to a host of social events, including carnival type activity starting Thursday, 15th June 2023 and ending on National Heroes’ Day, Monday 19th June 2023.

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) will maintain high visibility during these festivities.

We urge members of the public against engaging in criminal activity or anti-social behaviour during these parties, or any of the numerous other social gatherings set to take place during the holiday weekend.

Of particular note are three carnival themed events scheduled for the holiday Monday:

There will be two J’ouvert events, which take place between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., followed by Revel de Road.

One J’ouvert will take place at Bernard’s Park between 3:00am and 9:00am. The other J’ouvert will take place at City Hall car park between 3:00am and 9:00am and will have a moving element to it.

The music and crowd will move off at 8:00am from City Hall, west on Church Street, north on Par-La-Ville Road on to Woodlands Road, taking the right on to Canal Road. The event will finish in the area of Bulls Head car park.

The Corporation of Hamilton and the Ministry of Public Works have issued traffic notices permitting the closure of the roads mentioned, during the event.

Next up will be Revel de Road. This will be in three stages:

•             (1st move) 12 noon - Starting at Dundonald Street next to Victoria Park, north on Cedar Avenue, east on Marsh Folly Road, east on Palmetto Road, stopping at Barkers Hill roundabout at 3:30pm.

•             (2nd move) 3:30pm – heading west on North Shore Road, south on Black Watch Pass, south on Marsh Folly Road and south on Cedar Avenue, stopping at Victoria Park at 7:30pm.

•             (3rd move)  8:30pm – heading south on Cedar Avenue, west on Victoria Street, south on Wesley Street, west on Church Street and north on Par-La-Ville Road, ending at BAA at 9:45pm. Music will continue until 11:30pm.

For additional information about the Carnival in Bermuda events, please visit their Instagram page: @carnivalinbermuda, website: www.carnivalinbermuda.com or contact them via e-mail: info@carnivalinbermuda.com.

Motorists should expect delays and there will be traffic diversions as a result of road closures and large numbers of people expected to be in attendance. We ask that you exercise patience and caution. Event organisers will have marshals on the roads for these events, supported by the BPS where required.

It should be noted that although the scheduled carnival events have obtained noise permits, the BPS will still monitor noise levels and use authority under the law to address any noise related complaints, if necessary.

Members of the public planning to attend any of these events should travel with a group or in pairs, avoid parking or walking in dimly lit or isolated areas and let someone know of their whereabouts and when they plan to return.

The parked vehicles of patrons attending scheduled events should not obstruct any surrounding roads or driveways.

For those headed out on the water, please file a float plan. Do not go boating alone. Ensure your radio is working and all the requisite safety equipment on-board is up-to-date.

When swimming, do not swim alone and please ensure that your boat’s registration decal is current and prominently displayed.

Do not consume alcohol and drive, ride or operate a watercraft.

We also ask that you cooperate with our BPS officers, as we aim to ensure minimal disruption and that everyone is able to enjoy the holiday, without fear for their safety and wellbeing.

From a policing perspective, the public can expect road sobriety checkpoints starting the evening of Friday, 16th June through Monday, 19th June 2023 in all nine parishes.

Once again, don’t drive, ride or operate a watercraft intoxicated and have a plan to safely arrive at your intended destination after taking part in any of the celebrations.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all residents and visitors a safe holiday weekend and urge you to enjoy yourselves responsibly.”

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