A 21-year-old Illinois man is facing serious charges following a fatal ATV accident that occurred while on a Carnival cruise in The Bahamas.
According to news reports, James Darling, a resident of Park Forest, Illinois, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and possession of dangerous drugs in connection with the incident.
The accident took place on Sunday morning at Arawak Cay, a man-made island in Nassau.
A Bahamian news outlet said Darling was operating an ATV with a passenger, James Palmer, when the vehicle rolled over, landing on Palmer’s neck. Sadly, Palmer succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the accident, authorities discovered nine grams of marijuana in Darling’s possession. He was taken into custody and charged with both vehicular manslaughter and drug possession.
Darling and Palmer were on a Carnival cruise with friends when they stopped in Nassau for a short excursion.
The tragic accident occurred just hours into their trip, turning what was meant to be a fun-filled weekend into a nightmare for all involved.
While the exact circumstances of the accident are still under investigation, authorities believe that Darling’s negligence was a contributing factor.
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The specific details of the accident, including the speed of the ATV and any potential mechanical issues, are yet to be released.
Darling has pleaded guilty to the drug possession charge but is facing trial for the vehicular manslaughter charge in the Supreme Court. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence.
