A Jamaican national, who was allegedly afraid of being captured by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was allegedly trying to evade Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
The deceased, Craig Thomas, was originally from Laurence Tavern, St. Andrew. According to reports from The Jamaica Star, Thomas was arrested in November last year for a misdemeanour.
An associate of Thomas disclosed to the news outlet that the 27-year-old was arrested for marijuana possession among other charges. Thomas’s death comes amid a rise in deportations of illegal immigrants by the American government.
Reports state that at the time of the incident, which occurred on Saturday, the Jamaican was trying not to get detained by ICE. The accident happened along the Front Beach main road after Thomas failed to comply when troopers initiated a traffic stop.
Attempting to flee, the Jamaican drove past the troopers on his Suzuki sport motorcycle but reportedly later lost control and was ejected from the bike. The troopers at the scene offered lifesaving assistance until personnel from Bay County EMS and Panama City Beach Fire Rescue arrived at the location.
However, Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is currently under investigation by the authorities in the United States.
