Guam - The island recorded its eleventh traffic related fatality of the year Monday afternoon when a motorcycle and a car collided along Route 4 in Hagatna. The road was closed off this afternoon as the Guam Police Department's Highway Patrol Division conducted an investigation into a traffic crash that resulted in the death of 39-year-old Joey Quidachay Fernandez of Yona. 

Guam Police Department Spokesperson Officer A.J. Balajadia told KUAM News, "Two vehicles were involved in this accident. One was a Toyota 4-Runner 2000, operated by a female and the other one was a motorcycle, appears to be a Harley Davidson operated by a male."

Highway Patrol Officers say Fernandez, who didn't appear to be wearing a helmet, was heading south toward Chalan Pago on the inner lane when he collided with the SUV, driven by a woman whose name has yet to be released.  Police say the woman was exiting McDonald's attempting to execute a left turn. The collision resulted in Fernandez being pinned on his motorcycle underneath the sports utility vehicle. "The male was transported by mercy units to the hospital where he was pronounced dead due to the injuries," Balajadia added.

While police continue to investigate the cause of the crash, the Department of Corrections is mourning the loss of Fernandez, who has been employed there for five years assigned to the Visitation Processing Center in Mangilao. DepCor Spokesperson Lieutenant Antone Aguon noted, "This is a shock to all of us. We lost another officer about two years ago same scenario. The director will be meeting with our doctor and discuss what options will be made available to the employees should they need it for grieving and other things. Of course, DOC will be there to support the family in whatever way they need," he explained.

Fernandez was off-duty today and will be remembered as a hard worker who enjoyed working for the department. "He was a young officer," Aguon expressed. "He supported the department. Fundraisers and things like that. He was very active in doc activities and had many friends. He will be truly missed." Fernandez's death marks the eleventh traffic-related fatality of the year. "

Police meanwhile, urge motorists to be aware of your surroundings and slow down, with Balajadia saying, "So you just need to be more serious about how you're driving and pay attention to whose in front of you and the potential of vehicles pulling out in front of you as well. Not only being an offensive driver, but to be defensive as well so maybe you can see something coming down before it happens and avoid that."