RCIPS apologises for identifying road crash victim
(CNS): The RCIPS has apologised to the family of the victim in the fatal crash on the Queen’s Highway on 24 October for the premature identification of her. There is no doubt that the woman killed in the collision was Amber Bianca Martinez (29), a doctor at the Health Services Authority, as she had been identified across social media, but the RCIPS said no confirmation of the identity of the victim should have been released.
“The Commissioner of Police sincerely apologises for the error made in prematurely identifying the victim, and for the distress this publication has understandably caused to the grieving family,” the police stated in a release on Monday evening, issued it appears at the request of the family. “The previously issued media release has been removed from the RCIPS website and social media pages. Formal identification will be progressed as speedily as possible in consultation with the family,” the RCIPS added.
Martinez died in a single-vehicle crash at around 6am on Friday. She was understood to be driving to work at the hospital when her silver Honda Fit came off the road and burst into flames. Police have not given any further details of how the fatal crash happened but it remains under investigation.
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Our roads are excellent? That has got to be the most idiotic statement ever. First of all, there is no proper consistency in shoulders on our A roads, Bodden Town to Savannah is prime example! How many times have I driven on the QH where that lovely young lady waa killed and wondered when I or someone else has to suddenly to pull off when there’s no shoulder! I’ll bet anything there was a greater chance of survival if there had been a shoulder there, instead of that sudden drop-off. Remember, roads are only for cars, cyclists and pedestrians neeed room too! Ironically, as a road safety advocate, I recently commended her father on how he, unlike many other new homes, actually left a real shoulder (a stone throw away from the accident) Secondly, there are even proper shoulders they’re often obstructed by advertising and other signs. Let’s concentrate on proper roads then worry about the idiots who should have never been issued a driver’s licence in the first place, beginning with the corruption in DVDL. I have personally heard an examiner offer a barmaid a DL in a bar, not to mention others who have laughed or lamented at how easy it is to get one! Oh and the amount of non-roadworthy cars on the road is third world level! And finally, a proper traffic branch as it used to be in the 90s not some “unit” as they call it today, who only show up long after after a crash. Bless the CIFS fir almost always being on scene first! I’m sick of horrendous bad drivers, those shamelessly on their phones including public transport drivers who are amongst the worst of drivers in the first place. Address the real problems, prioritise, enforce and get cracking to make our roads safe!
Heartfelt condolences to Amber family.while while all causes raised are valid, rods,car safety, driver capacity ,speed,alcohol, cell phone, music,detraction by girl/boy friend , in this case definitely no alcohol, no tiresomeness, no detracting as alone,in my view.It only reminds all of us we need to be careful, take all precautions and Govt ensures safety measures followed and finally God’s Grace prevails.
I have to say all these accidents are because we have some of the worst drivers in the world. I have driven in Cayman for 53 years and right now standards are worse than they ever have been. Having said this I am certain that Ms Martinez is not one of these and other factors must have been involved.My sincerest condolences to her family, we have lost one of the brightest young stars in our sky.
Sounds like a broken record.
The vehicle she was driving could have had safety defects.
In the US a complaint could be filed online prompting an investigation.
The deceased woman’ family should hire an auto defect/product liability lawyer.
Is there a possiblity of being driven off the road by some a$$hole driver???
Very sad loss for her family and the Cayman health community. It is in the public interest to know the reasons behind this crash. I’m very concerned she was subject to overwork. It’s well known that junior doctors are often forced to work over 100 hours per week resulting in extreme fatigue. Poor young lady.
Sandra Hill told me she has sources in the RCIPS.. I will say that in court if required. I am currently drafting my affidavit. Why? She has gone too far and enough is enough. Amber was my family!!
My heartfelt condolences. Look, I am not sticking up for Sandra. But what is the big deal in disclosing to the public who has died in a road accident?! I am sure there are many people, many love ones besides the family that have an interest to know what had happened to the person they love and cherished. Sorry, don’t mean to sound indifferent.
The big deal is when all the family don’t know !!
And they find out on some crappy web site
Idiot !
I would not want to learn of my loved ones death on the Marl Road. Further the information was not yet officially released and all family members had likely not been notified. Would you want to wake up to that news story on CMR if she were your family ? Sandra needs to practice the same restraint and ethics that other outlets use. She is a headline hog and brags regularly about being the first to break a story. To what end is breaking a story so wonderful ? She is a classic narcissist!
Someone needs to rein Hill in. She thinks she speaks for the entire community when in fact it is only her narcissistic clique.
Sick and tired of her forcing the narrative.
Truth please and only the truth.
@7:21:
The article clearly states that the RCIP disclosed the name out of turn. Thereafter, it is fair game to the media, including Sandra. It was inevitable that the name would be released. It just got released a bit prematurely.
Per the RCIP statement:
“The Commissioner of Police sincerely apologises for the error made in prematurely identifying the victim…”
Stirring strife in an already terribly tragic situation is not going to undo the tragedy nor mitigate the loss but will only add to the already unbearable distress.
May this sweet child’s soul at the appointed time be in the arms of Our Lord.
Too little, way too late. Shameful.
It is most concerning that within the past 2 years there has been a significant increase in the number of ‘single-vehicle collisions’ and road fatalities.
Here’s a brief look at a few 2021/2022 CNS headlines:
1)’Fatal Crash near Blowholes in East End’ (20-Mar-21):
“The male driver of a Jeep Wrangler died following a crash early Saturday morning in East End. The SINGLE-VEHICE COLLISION happened around 2.35am on Seaview Road, in the vicinity of the blowholes, as the jeep was reportedly travelling westbound and ran over the guard railing and into the water. The RCIPS said in a release that one occupant of the vehicle was recovered by officers from the Cayman Islands Fire Service and was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead by the attending doctor.
The police said that no other person has been recovered from this collision and no one else has been reported being involved or injured.”
2)’Driver Dies Two Days after Major Crash'(21-Feb-22):
“Seamard Green, a 43-year-old man from Bodden Town who was involved in a SINGLE-CAR CRASH on Wednesday night (16 February), has died as a result of the injuries he sustained when the vehicle overturned and caught fire. Police said he was pronounced dead on Friday morning at the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town.”
3)’Fatal Road Accident in Prospect'(26-Feb-22):
“According to an RCIPS report, a male driver of a black Honda died after the car collided with a fence column on Mangrove Avenue in the Prospect area around 1:30pm Saturday.
NO OTHER VECHICLES WERE INVOLVED and police believe he was the only person in the car”.
4)’Early Morning Road Crash Claims First Life of 2022′
(6-Jan-22):
“One man is dead and a woman is seriously injured following a SINGLE-VEHICLE COLLISION on the Esterley Tibbetts Highway this morning. The smash happened around 1:00am at the Cost-U-Less roundabout. A white sedan travelling north came off the road and slammed into the concrete sculpture on the roundabout circle”.
5)’Crash Claims the Life of 12th Road Victim in 2022′
(8-Aug-22):
“A 20-year-old woman became the twelfth person to die on Cayman’s roads early Monday morning. Police said that shortly before 3:40am a white Honda Accord crashed on Eastern Avenue near the Shedden Road junction, by Champion House restaurant. In addition to the fatality, the three other people in the car were injured, including two who are in a serious condition. Police have not given any details of how the SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH happened, but the car appears to have smashed head-on into a wall”.
6) ‘Baby and Father Killed After Crashing Into Wall’
(4-Apr-22):
“A 32-year-old man and his one-year-old daughter were killed Sunday evening in what CNS understands was a high-speed collision on West Church Street in West Bay. The SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH happened at around 7pm on 3 April when the driver crashed his Honda Accord into a wall near the junction of Henning Lane. The man and the baby were removed from the car by crews from the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) and rushed to hospital by ambulance, but they were both pronounced dead on arrival by the attending doctor”.
7)’Driver killed in SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH on Cayman Brac’
(8-MAR-22):
“The police and fire service on Cayman Brac are still at the scene of a fatal collision on South Side West Road near Bluff Road. The SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH happened at around 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, according to the RCIPS. The driver is the fourth person to be killed on Cayman’s roads already in 2022, just over nine weeks into the year”.
8)’Woman Killed in Crash on Cayman Brac’ (15-Jun-22):
“Police are appealing for witnesses to a FATAL SINGLE-CAR COLLISION on Cayman Brac early Wednesday morning. The accident, which was reported at around 2:50am, involved a blue Honda Fit and happened on West End East Road. The driver, the only person in the car, was trapped inside and had to be extricated by the Cayman Islands Fire Service.
She was taken to Faith Hospital, where she was pronounced dead”.
9) ‘Mother of Bride Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash’
(1-Aug-22):
“A 77-year-old woman from Bodden Town was killed in a SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH in George Town early Sunday morning on the way home from her daughter’s wedding. The woman was one of four people in a white Kia Sportage SUV that crashed into a tree on South Church Street near to Memorial Avenue at around 12:25am. All four people in the SUV were taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital, where the woman, who was a retired school teacher, was pronounced dead by the attending doctor.”
10)’Driver killed in crash on Queen’s Highway’ (21-Oct-22)
“Police are currently investigating a FATAL SINGLE-VEHICLE COLLISION shortly after 6:00 Friday morning on the Queen’s Highway in East End. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the silver Honda Fit was being driven by a woman who was alone in the car when it was involved in a crash and caught fire near to Sunnyfield Road.”
These headlines ALL share a common thread….
My sincere condolences to the Martinez family on the loss of their loved one.
May Dr. Amber B. Martinez rest in eternal peace.
thank you! I bet roads design engineers are working tirelesly on how to improve roads safety.
Sarcasm?
Thank you for this information. Looking at the info it appears the majority of vehicles are all imported Japanese cars.
Do they make any cars here?
Most were not caused by DUI yet that is what PACT is concentrating on.
It costs nothing and they can point to it to show they have made an effort, which they haven’t. Admitting that our driving license is a complete joke and making that harder would be hugely unpopular with voters, but would make an actual difference especially if you made current holders retake the new test. Every time I go on the road here I see multiple instances of shocking driving that would be an instant test fail in the UK or anywhere in northern Europe.
@3:37 & @4:58:
In regard to the above
6) ‘Baby and Father Killed After Crashing Into Wall (4-Apr-22):
Is anyone, police, accident experts, attorneys, looking into the possibility that seems to be indicated on the CaymanLandInfo mapping, that there is a possibility that the portion of the wall hit was on Crown Land road reserve and therefore an obstruction as defined in law?
CoP Byrne still doesn’t have a grasp on the RCIPS’ loose cannons who fail on basic training manual procedures, all these years later. Another embarrassing negative performance affirmation, and why the public puts so little trust in their core competence.
Total lack of training programmes for officers. Only recruit
The RCIP has been leaking all their information to CMR / Sandra Hill. And have done so for years?
There is zero respect and privacy for victims/ witnesses with release of private documentation and information.
I will never ever call or help or give my name to the RCIP for fear it will be splashed all over the gutter blog that CMR is. It breeds hate and an awful environment for the island.
It’s not freedom of the press (Press in the broadest sense of the word) she is a convicted cyber bully who will do anything for the extra click. She is clearly supported by this PACT government. And the RCIP are complicit in turn their backs on these obvious breaches. Their apologies mean nothing.
But that’s what you get when you have a third world Police service and third-rate degenerate followers of CMR and Sandra hill
Wayne Panton created her ! With his money. Remember that!!!
Honda recalls 1.4 million U.S. vehicles for software flaw, fire hazard and more. Two drive shaft recalls cover:
The 2007 through 2014 Honda Fit
I hate that car so much. It’s garbage and the masses buy them like candy on Halloween.
The RCIP statement is bizarre. Form over substance.
Hybrid Honda Fit AKA grenade on wheels. Those batteries are dangerous!
RIP young lady.
It seems like that other media house that ryhmes with mayman carl toad always get the information as it is unfolding. Its as if first responder or lay people on the scene are feuling that gossip site and its incredible disrespectful and inhumane.
OR the other media houses are receiving information at the same time but have enough tact not to publish it until the usual process takes its course.
Any real journalist or media house would validate and confirm a story before pressing Post. That should tell you exactly what CMR are, the absolute opposite of quality journalism.
yep. it’s sad how she continues to harass people on this island and people still listen to her. someone should start their own blog and take the hits away.
Top Honda Fit Problems
Ignition Coil Failure. Some Honda Fit vehicles tend to develop driveability issues as early as 50,000 miles due to ignition coil failure. …
Uncomfortable Seats. …
Starter Failure. …
Cracked Front Door Armrest. …
Clear Coat Wearing Off. …
Engine Failure. …
Power Steering Failure.
this is official data, why 👎🏻???
Honda Fit Reliability Problems
Fit owners have made 469 complaints over 15 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we’ve ranked it 19th in overall reliability out of 24 Honda models, with real interior and electrical concerns.
http://www.hondaproblems.com/models/fit/
“ Rodents Love Chewing Honda’s Soy-Coated Wiring”
Why did her vehicle burst in flames?
Too many questions.
They have inherent issues which is why Honda has recalled them….including the Dr.’s model……
🙏🏼🙏🏼
Condolences to the family.
So sad. RIP.
Cayman roads are in need of a full reevaluation.
There is nothing wrong with the roads and everything wrong with the people who use them.
Human factor means it is nearly impossible to change people’s behavior.
It is possible to redesign roads to reduce injuries.
To make roads safer features can be added such as:
Side and median barriers.
Rumble strips.
Wide centrelines.
Flexible barriers.
Signs and road markings.
Shoulder widening.
Setting safer speeds.
Curve realignment.
Proper driving test. The elephant in the room. The simple fact is we give licenses to people who can’t safely operate a vehicle, even at the very low speeds driven here. (I’m speaking generally)
she had driven overseas also. very competent in driving. no need to blame licensing authority
Please read what I actually wrote. I explicitly said I was speaking generally. Our crash rates are over 10 times that of the UK. Our roads and weather are for the most part better that the UK and our mix and age of cars is similar. We drive much slower. There’s not much left except the quality of our drivers. Again, to be clear I’m talking generally, not about this lady who I don’t know. The simple fact is a kid can and I know plenty who have, pass our test after a couple of lessons. This is insane.
When I went to the UK with a Cayman license many years ago, I was only allowed to drive for one year before I had to take the UK driving test. It was very difficult test as it rightly should be.
It’s high time we to bring in some UK examiners on a project to test all those who came here in the past 8 years for competence.
And do not automatically give them a Cayman license when they apply. Many countries sell driving licenses, and this is the issue we have in Cayman.
And I could wrap myself in bubble wrap…
No matter what governments and/or road construction/management agencies do, we are going to have reckless and negligent drivers exceeding speed limits and otherwise driving carelessly. Only excercising good driving practiices and courtesy can we reduce the carnage on our roads.
5:32am, We need competent MLAs in order to make those changes. The Progressives where in power for years flying around in helicopters trying to do what Panton did in his first 6 months (enacting road projects). And Panton has proven he is horrible as a manager.
Very few roads except NSL 70mph roads have any of those features in the UK. Our accident rate is 10x theirs so it should come as no surprise that we have proportionately more KSI’s. The first priority should be to teach drivers not to crash, not covering the whole island in armco to catch them when they do.
What does every country on earth with a fraction of our accidents have in common? Real driving tests!
@6:15 Okay, Mister Perfect!
Poka Yoke is a Japanese word that means mistake proofing of equipment or processes to make them safe and reliable.
Many people lose their lives or get maimed through vehicular accidents each year.
Safety of users of automobiles is of paramount importance and many measures have been taken to make them safe. The following are examples of mistake-proofing in the automotive industry:
🚨Radar and video cameras in new vehicle models are able to tell the distance and speed of other road users. This helps them prevent collisions in case of sudden stops. The device here is more of a warning and preventive measure but it does not strictly fit into the concept of behaviour modification. The driver may choose to ignore the warning which will lead to an accident. The device does not stop the accident from happening in the first place.
🚨Automatic breaking system stops the vehicle in case the driver fails to brake when an obstacle suddenly appears on the road. If the system above is used with this device, it will be a better preventive measure as the system will note that a warning has been ignored. The sensors will then kick in and stop the vehicle – a key component of poka yoke is at play here.
🚨Lane-keeping assist alerts the driver that he is about to deviate from his lane. If the driver is not responsive, the vehicle intervenes and returns to the correct lane on its own. This device also fits well with the automatic intervention philosophy of poka yoke. There is no way the driver will commit an error because the vehicle will stop him from doing so.
🚨Electronic stability control helps reduce the possibility of accidents that can occur when a vehicle skids uncontrollably due to over-steering by the driver. The condition being controlled here is the slippery road — when this condition comes into play the system kicks in to prevent an unwanted result from occurring.
🚨Cross-traffic alerts warn drivers of impending traffic when they are reversing from a parking position. Like the first example of mistake-proofing in the automotive sector, this device is more of a warning and must be used in-conjunction with other devices to be successful.
🚨Adaptive headlights are able to respond to the conditions on the road so as to assist the driver have better visibility. For example, they are able to illuminate curved roads and also during bad weather.
🚨Airbags deflate quickly after an accident to prevent injury to the occupants of the vehicle.
🚨Seat belt pre-tensioners assist in holding the passenger in place in case of an accident and prevent them from sliding through.
🚨Blind spot assist warns the driver when there are objects within the blind-spot range that are not visible.
Thanks Mr copy and paste.
https://leanfactories.com/poka-yoke-examples-error-proofing-in-manufacturing-daily-life/#:~:text=Radar%20and%20video%20cameras%20in,the%20concept%20of%20behaviour%20modification.
Airbag actually made things worse in this case.
A properly trained, competent, alert driver doesn’t need all these accoutrements.
Driving on roads in Cayman takes all due care and attention, anything less coupled with excessive speed eventually gets you killed, at the very least mangled for life.
Not true. The roads are very poor in many aspects, from surfacing, markings,camber, line of sight etc. However, the generally very low standards of driving combine very unfortunately with this.
The first part is simply not true. I guess you haven’t driven much anywhere else in the world. Our roads are generally excellent, for the most part very wide, traffic is relatively light and generally slow moving. Anyone who has driven extensively anywhere else will tell you straight away it’s the standard of driving. Every visitor I’ve ever had from Europe or North America can’t believe how bad the driving is, it would be laughable if so many people didn’t keep getting hurt.
So true, my brother came out to visit here in April this year. He’s been driving in the UK for 30 years, he outright refused to drive here after some idiot in a Honda (yes I know) tailgated him aggressively lane hopping and flashing his lights in an attempt to intimidate him to go faster.
Ha, when someone does that to me I slow down to a crawl. You should see their little faces when you do this, it’ll make your day 😉
Texting. My passenger looked into many of the cars we drove by one day and many of them had their phones near their faces, and as a result were driving erratically, making drivers behind them overtake under hazardous conditions.
Right. On this side of the island, I hear the vehicles racing late at night and early in the morning. I always say a prayer that I am grateful I am home safe and not on the road at that time.
The roads are fine. People need to be made to take UK standard driving tests.
Our roads are excellent by any international standard. If you think the roads are the problem then I strongly suspect you are part of the problem.
The roads at the roundabouts get extremely dangerous in the rain.
Rest in peace.
Condolences to Ambers family and friends.