Driver killed when SUV veered off road into ravine, VIPD says

FREDERIKSTED – A man was killed after the SUV he was driving skidded and plunged into a ravine off East Airport Road in St. Croix recently.

Micheal R. King, 66, was identified by a family member as the accident victim, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.

The incident began on March 28, 2025, when the operator of a 2011 Jeep Cherokee, who was traveling east on East Airport Road “lost control of his vehicle and subsequently fell into a ravine,” according to the VIPD.

“The driver was not wearing a seat belt,” VIPD spokeswoman Kishma Chichester said.

EMTs, police, public and private rescue workers assisted in removing the accident victim and his vehicle from the ravine near the St. Croix airport. (Photos courtesy of the VIPD)

St. Croix Rescue and Bates Trucking teamed up to recover the vehicle and driver from the ravine, according to Chichester.

Emergency Medical Technician determined the driver, King, was deceased, police said.

The exact cause of death will be determined upon the completion of the autopsy, according to police.

This case remains under active investigation by the Virgin Islands Port Authority with assistance from the Virgin Islands Police Department Traffic Investigation Bureau in St. Croix.

“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Micheal R. King,” Chichester added.