Jamaican man dies in crash in US while trying to evade troopers

A Jamaican man has died in a motor vehicle crash on Saturday in the US while allegedly trying to escape Florida Highway Patrol troopers.

The crash reportedly occurred along the Front Beach main road.

Dead is 27-year-old Craig Thomas, from the Goldbourn District in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew.

Reports are that about 11:45, Thomas failed to comply and attempted to flee when the troopers initiated a traffic stop while he was riding a red Suzuki sport motorcycle.

While fleeing Thomas reportedly lost control of the motorbike resulting in a crash that ejected him.

Reports are that the troopers offered lifesaving assistance at the scene until personnel from Bay County EMS and Panama City Beach Fire Rescue arrived.

Thomas later was pronounced dead at scene.

The STAR obtained an arrest file which shows Thomas was arrested in November 2024 for a misdemeanor.

The STAR gathered from multiple sources to include close associates who attended school with the now deceased and another close to the investigation, that Thomas was trying not to be caught and run the chances of being detained by ICE.

The US government has been conducting mass deportation of illegal migrants and immigrants who break the law, since President Donald Trump began his second term in the Oval Office.

"Dem did lock him up last year fi marijuana possession among other charges," a whitness told The STAR.

"(I)...drive pass the scene. Man body deh pon di grung under white sheet fi hours bro before dem tek him up," the source said, while acknowledging it was heartbreaking.

Thomas attended Oberlin High School.

The police say investigations are ongoing.

- Andre Williams

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