A grieving family’s call for a safety review of a road where at least four motorcyclists have been killed has been backed by a local business.

Josh Frias, 16, died after his motorcycle crashed with a car on Parsons Lane in Devonshire on July 17.

His relatives believe making the road a one-way street could help to prevent future deaths, and they are urging Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, who is responsible for highways, to launch a traffic safety study.

The fatal crash happened near Bermuda Waterworks and its chief executive, Roger Todd, said the company was “deeply saddened” by Josh’s tragic death and extended “heartfelt condolences” to his family.

Mr Todd, a former director of the Department of Public Transportation, told The Royal Gazette: “We welcome a review of Parsons Lane by highways engineers to explore ways to enhance safety for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

“We understand that a one-way traffic system was previously considered, and should such a measure be deemed necessary to improve road safety, BWL would not object.”

He added: “We also recognise that other immediate interventions such as improved signage, traffic-calming measures, tree trimming or road widening could contribute meaningfully to public safety along sections of Parsons Lane.

“BWL is committed to supporting these efforts wherever possible.”

Josh’s aunt, Olivia de Frias, said: “We appreciate BWL’s kind words and are encouraged by their support for our shared commitment to improving road safety on Parsons Lane.

“It’s reassuring to know they welcome and echo our concerns. We now look forward to hearing from public works and learning about any steps they plan to take to address this issue.”

Other motorcyclists have been killed on Parsons Lane, including 18-year-old Ryan Burgess and 24-year-old Akil Williams in 2006 and 19-year-old Jahmeiko Perkins in 2011.

The Royal Gazette asked the Ministry of Public Works on July 24 to comment on the Frias family’s petition to have Parsons Lane made one-way but received no response.

On September 9, we asked the minister, via the Department of Communications, whether he was considering changes to the road and whether he believed an inquest into Josh’s death could help to identify safety problems and possible solutions. Despite repeated follow-ups, no response was received by press time.

The Gazette has also asked the Road Safety Council for comment.

Anyone with information about the July 17 fatal crash should contact Pc Kevin Medeiros, of the Bermuda Police Service, on 717-2402 or at kmedeiros@bps.bm. The public can also reach the roads policing unit on 247-1788 or 211.