Half Way Tree crash driver charged

The driver of the bus, which hit six pedestrians along Half Way Tree Road in St. Andrew on September 24, is to answer to the charge of manslaughter and other charges on Thursday.

The police say 43-year-old Bryon Reid, who had fled the scene following the crash, which resulted in the death of 18-year-old Mellisa Thompson, was charged last week.

Head of the Traffic Division, Senior Superintendent Radcliffe Lewis, said the driver was found at a stall last month.

He said the bus driver has also been charged for his failure to report the crash, running away from the scene and for operating a vehicle without a driver’s license.

SSP Lewis said the vehicle was not insured.

Earlier reports indicated that the pedestrians were hit, after the bus veered off the road onto a sidewalk, while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle.

Reports also indicate that Reid should not have been in the driver’s seat, as he was not the one employed to drive the bus.

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