Wreckage of deadly cement truck accident in St. Thomas. Photo: St. Thomas Rescue, VIPD

According to a release from the department, officers responded to the incident at approximately 9:30 a.m. on January 3 following a call to the 911 Emergency Call Center reporting the collision. Dispatchers relayed that the cement truck was located 200 to 300 feet downhill, with the driver pinned inside and unresponsive.

Upon arrival, officers requested the assistance of the Motor Carrier Unit, alongside emergency personnel from the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services (VIFEMS) and St. Thomas Rescue. Rescue crews descended the hillside, where they confirmed at 10:12 a.m. that the driver had succumbed to his injuries.

Driver was reversing before accident

Initial investigations revealed that the driver, identified as Liston Pickering, an employee of Heavy Material LLC, was reversing southeast uphill with a load of cement when the rear right tire struck a large rock on the roadside. The impact caused the truck to slide downhill uncontrollably, eventually going over the hillside. The truck overturned multiple times before coming to a stop at the bottom.

The VIPD has stated that the incident remains under investigation. Authorities have not released further details at this time.

Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the VIPD at (340) 774-2211 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).