carcrashvictim

Friends, family, and colleagues are struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of Jonathan Johnson, the young police officer killed in a car crash on Sunday night along East Bay Street near East Villa.

“He was a very humble young man,” Raymond Bain said. “He had a promising career ahead of him.”

Police said Johnson’s vehicle struck a wall near a curve. He was pronounced dead at the scene. In a preliminary report, authorities indicated that speed may have been a factor.

But for those who knew him, Jonathan Johnson will be remembered for the life he lived.

Before joining the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Johnson served as a corrections officer at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

At Judea Family Worship Center, where he worshipped, the news sent waves of sorrow.

“My heart hurt,” said Malita Bannister. “Brother Jonathan was faithful to Judea Family Worship Center.”

To his friends, he was a brother.

Jonathan and Jeremy Ferguson had recently made plans to spend time together.

“The last thing we said was, ‘We going balling,’” Ferguson shared. “Now I’m looking at you and hearing bad news.”

Within the police community, the loss has been deeply felt.

“The whole police force will miss you,” said Harrold Brown, speaking on behalf of colleagues who trained, worked, and stood beside Johnson.

He was originally from Lower Bogue, Eleuthera.

The girlfriends of recent car crash victims are reeling in shock since learning of their boyfriends’ deaths early Monday morning.

Neisha Johnson, the girlfriend of 28-year-old Anthony Coleby, and Jasmine the girlfriend of 29-year-old Ashwood Rolle expressed shock at their passing.

“Lord, please give me the strength I need right now…If only I knew that yesterday was going to be our last time together,” Johnson posted to social media.

Jasmine who shares a son with Rolle, posted crying emojis to express her pain.

The victims, identified as close cousins, died tragically when their Honda vehicle collided with a garbage truck on Gladstone Road during the early morning hours.

Police say it was around 5 am when the cousins were traveling south on the main thoroughfare when they drove into the waste truck which was traveling in the same direction.

Johnson said the pair was inseparable and had just visited a family at a local resort before the accident occurred.

“I’ll always remember you. You have been with me through my hardest times. I love you,” she said.

As police continue their investigation, many social media users questioned whether or not the rear of the garbage truck was lit, which could have caused the driver of the Honda to run into the truck.

It is not known if speed was a factor.