ST. CROIX — A civil lawsuit recently filed against Walton Jack Jr. in the Superior Court on St. Croix claims the retired police lieutenant caused a car crash that injured a mother and her minor child while negligently operating his vehicle on May 1, 2023 near Northside Road.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by attorney Renee Dowling on behalf of the mother, Ginette Joubert Santiago, alleges the plaintiffs suffered damages to include but not limited to personal injury, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of wages, and medical expenses. The plaintiffs have demanded a jury trial.
Jack, who is now assistant sergeant at arms for the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and negligent driving following the May 1, 2023 automobile accident.
The woman told police she observed a white truck traveling toward her in her lane so she quickly pulled her car to the left to avoid it, but that the truck hit the right side of her vehicle and pushed her onto the shoulder of the road, according to the probable cause fact sheet submitted by police officer Sharverna Chooran, who investigated the collision.
Jack, who admitted that he had “one beer,” failed all three standardized field sobriety tests conducted by Chooran, according to the probable cause fact sheet. Chooran noted Jack was clearly incoherent and unable to locate his driver’s license despite holding it in his hand, and that he kept repeating the same phrase when asked how the collision occurred, had glossy eyes, and had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath and person.
Attorney Kye Walker represented Jack in the case. Trial was initially scheduled to begin with jury selection on March 3, but Walker filed a motion to continue the trial due to the unavailability of an expert witness. In her motion, Walker noted the expert’s testimony was integral to the defense because there was a dispute as to the investigating officer’s finding that Jack failed the standardized field sobriety tests and whether they were properly administered.
The case never went to trial. Instead, Jack pleaded guilty to a new charge of failing to operate a vehicle on the left half of the highway or street pursuant to a plea agreement during a change of plea hearing before Superior Court Judge Douglas Brady on March 20. The prosecution agreed to dismiss with prejudice the remaining counts. Brady immediately sentenced Jack to pay a $30 fine as well as $75 in court costs.
