PATRICK HOWELL, a 24-year-old motorist, lost his life on Wednesday when his Toyota Levin motor car crashed into a cow that had strayed onto the Old Harbour bypass in St. Catherine.
Police reports are that after hitting the cow Mr. Howell lost control of the vehicle which ended up in a ditch. He sustained multiple injuries and was later pronounced dead at the Spanish Town Hospital.
On Thursday, Trevor Jackson, managing director of TransJamaican Highway, said the fatal accident was a result of the theft of over 200 metres of the highway's security fencing. Reports are that the fencing was cut in at least four separate places, allowing the cow to gain access to the highway.
Phillippe Lassauce, head of Jamaica Infrastructure Operators (JIO) which manages the toll road, said the torn sections of the security fencing have since been mended and new measures have been implemented to prevent further theft.
"We are now cementing the fencing in the ground," said Mr. Lassauce.
He further said that a special paint will be used to mark the fencing so in the event it is stolen, it can be easily identified. Additionally, JIO general manager said a unit has been assigned to do 24-hour patrol.
"This unit is supposed to assist motorists who break down on the highway and also detect if sections of the fencing have been stolen," said Mr. Lassauce.
"We have requested the assistance of the police to investigate the theft of the fencing," he told The Gleaner on Thursday.
