The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK


Tribune Freeport Reporter


dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY three months after 67-year-old security officer Joshua Rolle was struck and killed by a tow truck while walking home from work in Grand Bahama, his family is still waiting to learn whether anyone will be held criminally responsible.

Director of Public Prosecutions Cordella Frazier told The Tribune that prosecutors reviewed the case but found it difficult to determine criminality and returned the file for referral to the Coroner.

“It has to go through that process,” Ms Frazier said, “and once cause of death is determined we can review the file for criminality.”

Rolle, a father of three, died on May 17 after he was struck by a flatbed tow truck while walking along Coral Road near Indiana Lane shortly after 10pm.

His daughter, Jasmon Rolle, who lives in the United States, said the family has spent months seeking answers from police and has yet to receive a final determination.

Ms Rolle travelled to Grand Bahama on May 19 after learning of her father’s death and went with relatives to the police station, where they spoke with officers from the Traffic Division.

She said the initial police report did not sit well with her.

After returning to the United States, Ms Rolle remained in regular contact with police, while her cousin, Tammy Butler, served as the family’s point of contact in Grand Bahama.

The family continued seeking updates after Rolle’s funeral on June 20.

Ms Rolle said police initially told them they were awaiting the autopsy and Coroner’s report before a decision could be made. Beginning June 22, she said she called police about twice a week for updates.

“They just kept saying it's to this office, it's to that office, it's to the attorney general's office,” she said.

On July 21, Ms Rolle said police told her the investigation had been completed but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

“They just said the Attorney General's office didn't see enough evidence to charge the person with anything," she said.

Ms Rolle said she was subsequently told the file would be sent to Charlton Smith at the Coroner’s Court for further consideration.

She contacted police again on July 27 and was told officers would check with Mr Smith’s office and provide an update.

Nearly three weeks later, however, the family was still waiting.

Ms Rolle contacted the officer again on August 17 but said there was still no word on the case.

“Since the accident happened, I've been calling every week,” she said, “and the officer is still saying there's no word, there's no word.”

She said the prolonged uncertainty has made grieving her father more difficult.

“There are actually no words,” Ms Rolle said. “It was a sudden tragic death and just the fact that I can't get any closure, I don't feel like any justice is being served.”

She said the family’s priorities are straightforward.

“We just want closure and justice for my dad,” she said. “That's the two main things.”

Ms Butler also criticised what she described as poor communication with the family from the outset.

“I just feel like from day one the whole situation was not handled properly with us,” Ms Butler said. “We had to go to the police station for information after the accident, not being notified as family members.”

She said relatives have repeatedly contacted police seeking information and resolution.

Ms Butler said Rolle had been an important figure in the family following her mother’s death.

“Somebody got to be wrong. It's not fair,” she said. “We lost someone important to our family.”

Ms Frazier said the file had been reviewed but prosecutors could not determine criminal liability at that stage.

“I’m advised that the matter was reviewed and it was difficult to ascertain criminality,” she said, “so the file was returned with a view to the same being sent to the Coroner.”