Seychelles police mourns death of police officer hit by car while on duty

(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles Police has reported that a police officer, Constable Erickson Jules, died in the early hours of this morning following a hit and run incident.

Jules who was performing spot check duties with five other police officers was hit by a car travelling towards the Seychelles capital of Victoria at around 23.05 hours local time.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of the islands’ vehicle testing station and Petrol Station at Roche Caiman, on the east Coast of the main Seychelles’ island of Mahé.

“According to reports the car which Constable Jules had signalled to stop slowed down and then suddenly speed off, hitting the officer in the process and left the scene,” reads the police statement issued this afternoon.

Jules was pronounced dead at around 1.40 am this morning after suffering severe injuries to the head, ribs and legs.

According to the police statement the 19 year old Constable had been on active duty for around a year after completing an 18 months Certificate in Policing training at the Seychelles Police Academy last year.

Following the incident, a 24 year old man of La Louise reported to the central police station in Victoria accompanied by his father at around 1.50 am this morning.

The suspect was arrested and is being detained pending investigation. He is expected to appear before the court tomorrow.

According to the police, breathalyser test performed on the 24 year old man revealed that alcohol content in his body was well above the limit prescribed by the law.

The death of the police officer following this tragic incident brings to 10 the total number of fatal accidents registered so far this year surpassing the total number of 8 fatal accidents recorded for the whole of last year.

The police is urging road users to be more responsible on the road and to respect and abide to directives given by traffic police officers.