The hearing into the case of a bus driver, whose vehicle hit down and killed an 18-year-old St Ann’s Bay male, three years ago, has been rescheduled to December 7.
Charged with manslaughter is Marlon Hopkins of Mount Edgecombe, Runaway Bay, St Ann.
He is charged with causing the death of 18-year-old Javany Hinds of Wharf Street, St Ann’s Bay, St Ann.
Hinds died on the scene after a public passenger bus, driven by Hopkins, mowed him and three other persons down while they were walking along the Richmond main road in St Ann.
According to police reports at the time, although Hopkins was reportedly not the original driver of the bus, he was licensed to drive a public passenger bus. The bus was also insured.
When Hopkins appeared in court last Thursday, the case was ready to be heard, but due to the court list, the hearing was again set for an early December date.
At the hearing, the parish judge will read the evidence from the statements of the witnesses in the matter. A determination will then be made if there is enough evidence for the case against Hopkins to be sent to the circuit court.
Hopkins’ bail was extended until December 7 by senior parish judge Andrea Thomas.
Reports are that on Monday, January 28, 2013, a Toyota Hiace bus that was allegedly driven by Hopkins was travelling towards Runaway Bay, St Ann, when upon reaching the a section of the Richmond main road, the bus hit down four persons walking along the main road.
Those hit at the time were: 24-year-old Rohan Walters, 17-year-old John Don Rose, 18-year-old Javany Hinds and Joseph Smith.
The men had reportedly gone to seek work at Richmond Estate housing development.
It was alleged that Hinds was on his way home, when he stopped to rid his shoe of mud on the sidewalk because it had been raining earlier that morning. However, the bus later hit him and he died on the scene.
It is alleged that the driver was overtaking on the left side of the road while on his way to Runaway Bay.
