Police hunt drivers who removed plates and fled crash that killed four teens

ST ANN, Jamaica — Police are appealing for information to identify the drivers of two Mercedes-Benz motorcars involved in a three-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of four teenagers along Dacosta Drive, Ocho Rios, St Ann, on Saturday. The deceased are 17-year-old Shantana Leonard of Cardiff Hall, Runaway Bay; 16-year-old Kenneil Lyle of Mansfield Heights, Ocho Rios; 16-year-old Marcodine Maxwell, also of Mansfield Heights, Ocho Rios; and 15-year-old Rajani Abdul, who is from Mansfield Heights as well. According to reports from the St Ann’s Bay police, the collision occurred about 2:30 am as two black Mercedes-Benz C43 motorcars travelled west along the roadway. One of the vehicles reportedly attempted to overtake the other but veered into the path of an oncoming Toyota Vitz driven by Leonard, with the other three teenagers as passengers. The overtaking Mercedes-Benz allegedly collided with the left side of the Toyota Vitz, forcing it into the right lane, where it collided with the second Mercedes-Benz. Police said the drivers of both Mercedes-Benz vehicles removed their licence plates and fled the scene. The police were alerted, and the occupants of the Toyota Vitz were taken to hospital, where all four were pronounced dead. Investigators are appealing to anyone who can assist in identifying the drivers or who has information about the collision to contact the St Ann’s Bay Police Station at 876-872-7523, the police emergency number 119, or the nearest police station.