ST. CROIX MAN BLOWS DOUBLE THE LEGAL LIMIT AFTER SMASHING INTO WAPA POLE ON NORTH SIDE ROAD
By JOHN McCARTHY / St. Croix Sun Staff Writer
ST. CROIX — A local man is facing multiple traffic and criminal charges after crashing his vehicle into a Water and Power Authority (WAPA) utility pole late Saturday night while allegedly driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than double the territory's legal limit.
According to Superior Court documents obtained by the St. Croix Sun, David Bermudez was arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 31, following a single-vehicle collision on North Side Road.
The Collision
The investigation began at approximately 11:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, when Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) Officers Mark E. Jones and Sherma Aurelien were dispatched by the VITEMA 911 Call Center to an automobile collision on Route 75 (North Side Road), just east of the local dentist office.
Upon arriving at the scene at 11:40 p.m., responding officers discovered a heavily damaged black 2010 Dodge Caliber with massive front-end destruction to its grill, bumper, fenders, and light assembly. Nearby, the western half of a wooden WAPA electric pole (number C-045900) was found cracked and broken from the force of the impact, though it remained standing.
Bermudez, who was identified as the driver, was found sitting in the driver's seat.
From the Bar to the ‘Chocolate Bar’
According to the police affidavit, Bermudez was treated at the scene by emergency medical technicians in Ambulance #312. EMTs reported to police that Bermudez admitted to having "some alcoholic drinks" prior to the crash. Bermudez refused transportation to the Governor Juan Luis Hospital.
Officer Jones noted that Bermudez’s eyes appeared red and watery. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Bermudez allegedly told investigators that he was traveling eastbound on North Side Road when he realized he had struck the utility pole.
Bermudez openly admitted to police that he had been drinking alcoholic beverages at a bar located across from the Oriental Bank, and was actively driving to the "Chocolate Bar" to finish watching a game when the crash occurred.
Triple Failure on Field Sobriety Tests
Bermudez was transported to the Ancilmo Marshall Command Police Station in Christiansted, where Officer Adisha Rogers administered three standardized field sobriety tests:
Horizontal Gaze and Nystagmus: Bermudez failed the test due to a lack of smooth pursuit in his eyes, repeatedly moving his head to follow the officer's pen rather than tracking it with his eyes only.
Heel-to-Toe Walk: Bermudez failed after pausing repeatedly to steady himself, stepping completely off the designated line, and raising his arms more than six inches to maintain balance.
One-Leg Stand: Bermudez chose to raise his right foot but failed the test by failing to keep his foot elevated three inches from the ground and repeatedly lifting his arms to balance.
A .161 Intoxilyzer Result
Following the field tests, Bermudez consented to a chemical breath test under Title 20, Section 493c of the Virgin Islands Code.
The test, administered by Officer Michael Jules using the Intox EC/IR-II system, revealed that Bermudez had a breath alcohol concentration of .161 percent—more than twice the legal limit of .08 percent.
Prior Record and Court Appearance
VIPD records reviewed by prosecutors indicate that Bermudez has a prior arrest record.
He was formally booked, processed, and his bail was set at $1,000.00. Bermudez surrendered his driver's license in lieu of cash bail and was released with orders to appear before the Hon. Yolan C. Brow Ross at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands this morning, Monday, June 1, at 9:00 a.m., for his Advice of Rights hearing.
Bermudez’s adult daughter was also notified of the mandatory court appearance on scene. Police have requested that the criminal case remain open pending final judicial disposition.
Bermudez stands charged with:
Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor (20 V.I.C. § 493(a)(1))
Driving with a BAC of .08 Percent or More (20 V.I.C. § 493(a)(2))
Negligent Driving (20 V.I.C. § 503)
