Two young women and a man are dead after the car they were driving was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle in Cooper's Town, North Abaco late Saturday night. According to police reports, the accident happened on S.C. Bootle Highway around 11:50 p.m., and involved a black Honda Civic, which was travelling north and a gray 2002 Cadillac traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the Honda, a 22-year-old woman, died at the scene, police said.

Both of her passengers were rushed to the Cooper's Town Clinic by emergency medical services personnel. Police said the 21-year-old front seat passenger succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at the clinic. Police later reported that the third passenger, who was airlifted and en route to the Princess Margaret Hospital on New Providence also succumbed to his injuries around 5 a.m. on Sunday. The incident brings the number of road related deaths to 34 for the year, police said. The driver of the Cadillac reportedly escaped the accident with minor injuries, while his 17-year-old passenger suffered a broken leg and arm.

"Police are strongly advising the general public to adhere to the rules that govern our streets, obey the speed limit and to buckle up," Police press liaison Inspector Chrislyn Skippings said. Police revisited the scene of the accident yesterday afternoon. Superintendent Noel Curry, officer-in-charge of the Abaco district, said speed was a factor in the accident but police have not yet determined fault. He noted that the driver of the Cadillac is assisting police with their investigation. Police will release the victims' identities sometime today.

A relative identified one of the victims as Shanique McIntosh, 21, a mother of a two-year-old boy and an employee at Treasure Sands Club in Treasure Cay. "She was full spirited, very pleasant and very helpful, and sometimes I used to mind her baby when she went to work," said Lynda McIntosh, Shanique's aunt. "I think Shanique's son is with his grandmother - her boyfriend's mother - but everyone is trying to keep strong, but it was just shocking news.

"It's hard for her father because when his son got killed he was away and now he is away and his daughter got killed so it's very hard for him." Louis McIntosh, a second aunt interviewed by The Nassau Guardian, said Shanique's father Stanley McIntosh is struggling to cope because his son, Stanley McIntosh III, 22, was shot and killed on Abaco in February. Lynda McIntosh identified the second young woman as her niece, Caninesha Rolle, 22. She said the third passenger was a chef at Treasure Sands Club.

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