Portland driver charged

[Lazie]

Posted: 2009-01-06 09:22:08


The driver of the truck, which was involved in the motor vehicle crash that claimed the lives of 14 persons in Portland on December 19, is to appear in court this morning, after multiple charges were laid against him yesterday.

The Port Antonio police have charged 31-year-old mechanic, Christopher Devon Clarke with 14 counts of manslaughter, no insurance coverage, operating contrary to his driver’s license, failing to report an accident and carrying more passengers than allowed by law.

Campbell was charged following an identification parade yesterday.

Since turning himself in to the police on December 29, Clarke has had four days of counselling conducted by trained personnel attached to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Just days ago Clarke’s attorney, Carl McDonald, said his client did not commit any offence, as the roadway simply broke away, resulting in the fatal accident.

Fourteen persons including a ten-year-old boy lost their lives after the market truck driven by Clarke plunged into a ravine in the Rio Grande valley.

Seven persons survived the accident.

[Bricktop]

Anyone have any insight into what supposedly happened? I know di bredda di scared but him put himself inna world a trouble when he fled.

[Lazie]

State could be held liable for market truck tragedy

An investigation has been launched to determine whether the State should be held liable for the market truck accident which claimed 14 lives in the Rio Grande Valley, Portland three weeks ago.

The probe is being carried out by the Office of the Public Defender.

A press release issued late Monday by Public Defender Earl Witter said a team of investigators from his office will commence the probe Wednesday.

Mr. Witter told RJR News that the team will focus its attention on allegations that the accident might have been caused by the failure of the authorities to address the erosion of the road where the tragedy took place.

"In order to bring the thing to closure properly, we need to determine if the State is liable in the matter. Information to us suggests it was a result of faulty construction...and the failure to extend the abutment of a bridge that caused the land slippage and led to this great tragedy,"

The Public Defender said if the investigative team concludes that the State should be held liable for the accident, legal action will be taken on behalf of those who were affected.

"Now whilst we are not entering into our investigations with any preconceived ideas or conclusions. Our investigations will be directed at whether or not that is the fact of the matter and whether the State bears any legal liability. If the State does, we will of course be pressing claims on behalf of those who were affected and are able to maintain claims," said Mr. Witter.

[Bricktop]

Should they wait on the result of the investigation before laying manslaughter charges against the driver?