Tahjé Browne Escapes Broken Bones But Driver Who Hit Him Fled — Police Commissioner Warns: "There's Something Criminal About That"

Antigua and Barbuda's sporting community is exhaling with relief following confirmation that national cyclist Tahjé Browne escaped Saturday's frightening training ride collision without broken bones — but the incident has triggered a sharp public warning from the Commissioner of Police about a disturbing trend of motorists fleeing crash scenes, after footage of the driver who struck Browne went viral on social media.

Medical Update: Browne on the Road to Recovery

The Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation confirmed that medical examinations and diagnostic tests cleared Browne of any broken bones, fractures, or major arterial injuries following the accident. While he sustained several cuts and bruises, including a significant laceration to his foot, Browne has received medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

The federation expressed gratitude to healthcare professionals, emergency personnel, and members of the public for their swift response and the outpouring of messages of support. "Your support has meant a great deal to Tahjé, his family, and the cycling community," the federation said in a statement.

Browne is expected to focus on rest and recovery in the coming weeks as he heals from his injuries.

The Viral Video That Prompted a Police Warning

The relief over Browne's medical update, however, was tempered by outrage after footage widely circulated on social media showed the driver of a Toyota Vitz — the vehicle involved in the collision — checking on the downed cyclist before sprinting away from the scene in the opposite direction.

The footage sparked immediate public anger and drew a direct response from Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers.

Commissioner: Fleeing Is a Crime

Jeffers warned motorists in a radio interview that fleeing the scene of a traffic accident is a criminal offence, addressing the incident and outlining why some drivers make the reckless decision to run.

He said an unlicensed driver would have a strong incentive to avoid police, since officers typically request a licence as one of their first questions at the scene. "If you don't have a licence, then you should not be driving," Jeffers said.

He also pointed to fear as a factor — suggesting some drivers panic when they believe they have seriously injured someone — and to vehicle registration discrepancies, noting that police routinely check a vehicle's papers against its number plate at the scene and a mismatch can expose a driver to further scrutiny.

Despite those explanations, the Commissioner was unequivocal about the legal obligation. He cited sections 65 and 66 of the Traffic Ordinance, under Section 460, which require motorists to remain at the scene until police arrive. "You need to remain on the scene until the police come so you can explain what happened," Jeffers said.

He noted that licensed drivers involved in genuine accidents have little reason to flee, and issued a pointed challenge to anyone who does: "Why would you flee the scene except there's something criminal about your action?"

Road Safety Cannot Wait

The Cycling Federation renewed its call for greater road safety awareness, urging all road users to exercise patience, vigilance, and mutual respect, noting that cyclists train daily on the nation's roads and that everyone shares the responsibility for improving conditions.

Saturday's incident involving Browne sits in the shadow of a tragedy the cycling community has not yet fully processed — the death of cyclist Andre Simon in a separate traffic collision, a loss that sent shockwaves across Antigua and Barbuda and has made road safety for cyclists one of the most pressing concerns in the country. That the driver who struck Browne initially stopped to check on him before choosing to flee only sharpens the outrage — a decision that left an injured national athlete alone on the road while the culpable party ran.

Police have confirmed they are continuing to review the viral footage and investigating the incident. No further details on the identity of the driver have been released.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or driver involved is urged to contact the Traffic Department or the nearest police station.