Officers of the Virgin Islands Crime Initiative conducted a traffic stop at around 4:20 a.m. Nov. 30 on the Christiansted Bypass of a vehicle with three occupants.
Attempting to elude the officers, the driver of the vehicle left the area at a high rate of speed. But he lost control of the vehicle and caused a three-car accident on Contentment Road.
Officers found two firearms and marijuana in the area that the vehicle traveled. The three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody.
The three arrested were identified as Lejaurne Sonson, age 30, John Prince, Jr., age 23, and Deshaun Stephen, age 25.
They were charged with reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, failure to maintain control of a vehicle thereby causing an accident and delaying and obstructing an officer during the course of his duties.
Unable to post bail of $10,000 each, they were all remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advice of rights hearings.
While forensic and patrol officers where processing the scene, an unrelated motorist struck a marked police vehicle, injuring two officers. The officers were transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and were expected to be released.
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to call 911, the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211, or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-8477.
