Vernell Eugene Smith was described as a "jokester" and "the life of the party" by his family, and a person who will be missed for his fun-loving personality.

Mr. Smith, 38, of Sandys became the 15th road fatality of the year on Sunday morning.

It is the first time in 10 years the number has been higher than 14. In 1998 there were 17 road deaths.

Officers received a report of a serious road traffic collision on Somerset Road, Sandys parish near Arnold's Supermarket at 9.55 a.m. Although details about the incident remain unclear, it appeared the Sandys man was travelling north on a motorcycle on Somerset Road when he lost control while attempting to overtake a car, and hit a wall.

Mr. Smith was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance with serious injuries and pronounced dead shortly after.

Speaking with his family in their Somerset home, his father, Donald Smith, owner of Mack Garage in Dockyard, said the father of one will be missed not only by his son Jahkeel, but also by his mother Lisa, nine siblings and 22 nieces and nephews.

His father was the first family member on the scene of the accident and his first thought was, "My son is gone".

Mr. Smith, more commonly known as Jamel or "Smitty", attended Purvis Primary School, Sandys Secondary School and Robert Crawford School.

He was a tiler by trade and played football for PHC Zebras. Mr. Smith was also a big Liverpool fan.

Mr. Smith had battled with drugs in the past and had recently turned his life around with two stints in rehab.

His nephew Enrico Escolatica, 10 said: "He was always funny. He always came up my house with a joke. It was natural."

Nephew Daquan Burgess, 14, added: "Every time he was up my house we would watch movies. He couldn't keep still and would always get up so when he came back I would have to rewind and fast forward it".

Enrico said the last time he saw his uncle was Saturday night when he came over his house.

"The last thing I said to him was 'You owe me $18'. If I could say anything, I miss him and I love him."

Mr. Smith's youngest sister, Ashley Smith, 16, said: "He was my best friend. Nobody compared to him. I could call him my favourite even though it sounds bad to say."

She continued: "No matter how bad he felt or how down he was, he always had a smile on his face. He always had a Heineken and a cigarette".

Miss Smith added her brother always used to say "Holla".

Mr. Donald Smith said his son had a lot of friends and was loved very much by them and his family.

Asked what she will miss the most about Mr. Smith, Miss Smith said: "Basically the friendship we had. He always had my back. He would do anything for anyone."

Mr. Donald Smith said: "I will miss his jokes. The help he gave me at my shop. I will miss everything about him.

"We will miss his liveliness around Christmas time. He was the life of the party".

His aunt, Phyllis Frith said: "Every time he called me, the first thing he said was 'Do you love me'."

Miss Smith said her brother was "always the one to speed" but was never hurt in an accident previous to the one that claimed his life.

"You might think you're invincible but you never know", she said with tears in her eyes.

Mr. Donald Smith said his advice to the motoring public is: "Take your time. Stop speeding. Respect the laws of the road and others on the street".

Brother-in-law, Tyrone Smith said: "If we can save one life from this mess, please that's all I'm asking. Save one life and that's OK with me."