A FREEPORT father of twins working on a roofing contract in Nassau on the eve of his 45th birthday became the country’s latest traffic fatality on Friday after he lost control of his car and slammed into a dirt mound on the southern side of Cowpen Road.

He was identified at the scene by a family member as Shawn Colebrook. It was the third traffic fatality in 18 hours on the island.

Superintendent Craig Stubbs, head of the Traffic Division, said officers received a call shortly before 1pm and were notified that a four-door sedan was involved in a single car crash just west of the intersection of Cowpen Road and Golden Isles Road.

“Units responded from the Traffic Department. On scene we met a burgundy Chevrolet Malibu vehicle with Grand Bahama registration had collided with a dirt mound. The driver of that vehicle received significant injuries to his upper and lower torso, also his head,” Supt. Stubbs said. “EMS came on scene and announced that he had expired as a result of his injuries.”

When The Tribune arrived on scene, emergency services personnel could be seen attempting to free the lone occupant from the vehicle.

A short time later, the victim’s brother, Craig Colebrook, arrived and described his younger brother as a pleasant, family-oriented individual. The younger Colebrook was said to be visiting from Freeport and in Nassau to complete a roofing contract.

Mr. Colebrook said he learned of his brother’s fatal accident via a phone call informing him of the crash. “I just dropped everything and jumped in the car to come here,” he told reporters across the street from the mangled car. “He was going to be 45-years-old tomorrow. He was just by me last night, talking about how he wanted to have a small party to celebrate his birthday. Now we are here,” he said.

In a statement to the media just hours before Mr. Colebrook’s fatal crash, Transport and Aviation Minister urged drivers to be aware of the risks associated with dangerous driving after two serious traffic accidents in New Providence on Thursday afternoon and evening.

Those led to two deaths - a man and a woman - and four people being detained in hospital, two men with critical injuries.

Investigations into the accident continue.

By Ricardo Wells, Tribune Staff Reporter

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