An early Sunday auto accident in the vicinity of the Sunshine Mall on St. Croix left one man dead and a woman arrested on a charge of vehicular homicide and driving under the influence, according to the V.I. Police Department.
The victim was identified as 25-year-old Marvin Barton. Police identified the woman they arrested as Kaley Lund, age 27 of St. Georges.
According to police, at about 1:11 a.m., Oct. 25, the 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched officers to Queen Mary Highway in the vicinity of the Sunshine Mall shopping center, in reference to an auto accident.
Investigation into the accident revealed a silver 2020 Hyundai Elantra had been heading eastbound while a gray 2014 Jeep Wrangler was heading westbound. The Jeep Wrangler crossed into the eastbound lane, causing a head-on collision with the Hyundai Elantra.
Barton, the driver of the Hyundai Elantra, died of his injuries at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle was injured in the accident and was transported to the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment.
Police said Lund, the driver of the Jeep Wrangler, appeared intoxicated at the scene. She was given standardized field sobriety tests, which she failed, according to police. She was arrested as a result, charged with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, manslaughter and driving without a driver’s license. Lund was unable to post $25,000 bail and was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending her advice of rights hearing.
St. Croix District Chief of Police Sidney Elskoe reminds the community that driving after consuming alcohol is dangerous, and can cause injury or death to yourself or others.
“If you decide to drink, do not drive. Have a designated driver, or find a ride home,” Elskoe said.
