Westmoreland teen dies in motorcycle crash as INDECOM probes Kingston police shootings

An 18-year-old Westmoreland youth has died and a 16-year-old boy remains in hospital after a motorcycle struck a cow on the Petersfield main road late Wednesday, police have reported.

The dead teen has been named as Fernando Whitlock, an unemployed resident of Logwood district in Whithorn, Westmoreland. Investigators say Whitlock was riding a green Champion motorcycle towards Savanna-la-Mar about 11:30 p.m., with 16-year-old Errol Williams as pillion, when a white cow entered the roadway near Petersfield Primary School. Both teens were thrown from the bike. They were taken by private vehicle to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, where Whitlock was pronounced dead. Williams was admitted with a broken right leg. Police say neither youth was wearing a helmet. The Jamaica Constabulary Force accident investigation and reconstruction unit and Savanna-la-Mar firefighters processed the scene.

INDECOM is also investigating two police shooting incidents in Kingston. In Craig Town, 22-year-old Gavin Pottinger Mont, also called Chris, and Harry Pottinger Mont, also called Die, both of 6 Madden Street, Kingston 12, were shot and injured during what police described as an armed confrontation. A Taurus 9mm pistol with a magazine containing one cartridge was reportedly recovered. Videos circulating online appear to show relatives placing themselves between police and the younger Pottinger Mont as officers tried to move him. INDECOM is separately processing a fatal shooting scene at Princess Street and Charles Street, where an unidentified man, believed by sources to be a teenager, was killed during a police operation.

In St. Andrew, Constable Morris Hilton has agreed to pay $500,000 in restitution after being accused of hitting a man with a baton on Shortwood Road on July 30, 2024. The agreement was reached Thursday in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court during restorative justice proceedings. The Crown withdrew its cross case against the complainant, Hilton pleaded not guilty, and all parties were discharged.

In Hanover, fire superintendent Dwayne Grant warned that many businesses, including supermarkets, continue to ignore Jamaica Fire Brigade recommendations, creating hazards for operators and customers. Grant said stronger laws are needed because fire personnel cannot impose penalties or close non-compliant establishments.