Cops ponder charges for Half Way Tree accident

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

The Police Traffic Division is to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether any charges can be laid on the legitimate driver of the bus that hit six pedestrians along Half Way Tree Road last month.

Head of the Division Senior Superintendent, Radcliffe Lewis, had earlier reported that the man driving the bus at the time of the crash should not have been in the driver’s seat.

He said investigations so far have also revealed that that person did not have a driver’s licence.

SSP Lewis said the police have not yet located the individual who was driving the vehicle at that time of the incident.

However, he has been identified only by his alias, ‘Dog’.

He said the police have gone as far as St. Mary in search for him.

SSP Lewis said he will be seeking advice from the DPP’s office, as to whether the man employed to drive the bus can be charged for any offences for allowing someone else to carry out his duty.

Eighteen-year-old Mellissa Thompson died in the crash, while five other persons were also injured.

The police have since questioned the owner of the bus, the man who was employed to drive the bus, as well as the conductor.

radio@gleanerjm.com