Chief Inspector Na’imah Astwood - On behalf of the Bermuda Police Service I would first like to express our condolences to the family and friends of La-Nae Woodley.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them in these very trying times. Our thoughts are also with the 24 year old female passenger who is recuperating from her injuries at this time.
The Bermuda Police Service has launched a detailed investigation and a Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to Ms. Woodley’s family to help them cope with the process as the investigation continues.
The most recent update is that the 26 year old male suspected of driving the white van involved went before Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with indictable offences in relation to this matter.
Also, the two individuals arrested in connection with the black car involved have since been released on police bail.
This ongoing investigation is being led by two investigative units working in unison.
Directing the investigation from the Roads Policing Unit is Acting Inspector Dorian Astwood and leading the investigation from the Serious Crime Unit is Detective Sergeant Jason Smith.
Acting Inspector Dorian Astwood - As you are aware by now, at approximately 4:05 Saturday morning first responders attended this collision which took place at the junction of Middle Road and Cobbs Hill Road in Warwick.
It appears that Ms. Woodley was riding a motorcycle with a 24 year old female pillion passenger traveling east on Middle Road, Warwick when a white van that was traveling south at the junction of Cobbs Hill Road and Middle Road, collided with them.
The van immediately left the scene.
Whilst the two women lay injured in the road a second motorcyclist, a 37 year old man, was traveling west along Middle Road and tried to avoid both victims.
At this time a black car also traveling west, drove through the collision scene - making contact with one of the female victims and the 37 year old male motorcyclist.
The black car also left the scene.
Ms. Woodley was conveyed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance, where she was later pronounced dead.
The 24 year old female pillion passenger was also taken to hospital via ambulance for treatment of leg injuries.
The 37 year old male riding the other motorcycle escaped major injuries but was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving whilst impaired.
He later passed the alco-analyser test and was immediately released.
The scene was initially cordoned off and processed by the Forensic Support Unit and Traffic Collision Investigators.
A white van and black private car have since been impounded and are being forensically examined.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have seen the collision or anyone who may live in the area that may have any information that can assist us.
Those persons are asked to please contact the Roads Policing Unit on telephone number 247-1788.
Detective Sergeant Jason Smith - Right now we are following very promising leads in relation to this incident.
CCTV has played a critical role, as it has been viewed and is driving a number of actions that we are taking at this point.
To date, three arrests have been made in connection with this matter.
As Chief Inspector Astwood mentioned earlier, a 26 year old man has been charged in Magistrates’ Court this morning regarding Saturday’s fatal collision, while the other two individuals arrested have since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
We are interested in speaking with anyone who can help us identify the movements of the drivers of the white van and black car in the early hours of Saturday morning and right after the collision at 4:05am Saturday.
There are a number of persons who are aware of the drivers’ whereabouts and actions prior to the collision and immediately after.
We need you to bold and to help the family bring closure to this matter. Any information that you may have, regardless of how insignificant it may seem to you, we would like to hear.
Please contact me on telephone number 247-1739 or e-mail jsmith2@bps.bm.
There is a family that is grieving the loss of 22 year old La-Nae Woodley. Let’s all do our part to assist the Woodley family. |