The co
nductor who was driving the Golden Dragon minibus that crashed on Friday, May 27 in St Ann, killing five passengers, had his bail extended when he appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Thursday, September 1.
Charged with five counts of manslaughter, driving without a licence and without insurance is 36-year-old Rohan Robinson of Galina, St Mary.
When the matter came before senior parish judge Andrea Thomas, it was heard that a further two statements are to comply with the Committal Proceedings Act (CPA).
Robinson is to return to court on September 29, when the case is to be mentioned for the statements to comply, to allow for a hearing in the matter to determine if enough evidence is there to make out a case against him.
His bail was further extended.
Five passengers died and several others were injured in the crash on Friday, May 27.
Those killed are: 61-year-old Charles Jones, a bus driver of Mason Hall, St Mary; 43-year-old Kareen Johnson, school principal of Charles Town, Windsor Heights; 24-year-old Odain Latty, security guard of Mile End; 24-year-old Dorian Taylor, security guard of Mt Edgecombe, Runaway Bay and 27-year-old Kemar Minto, hotel worker of Roaring River, Steer Town – all of St Ann.
The police reported that the bus was transporting passengers, including six students from Ocho Rios to Brown’s Town, when the drive shaft broke, causing the vehicle to overturn and slamming into an oncoming Toyota RAV4 sports utility vehicle.
The designated driver of the minibus, Charles Jones, was numbered among the fatalities.
At the time of the crash, the Transport Ministry reported that the minibus was defective. The bus was being operated without a renewed road licence.
A technical inspection of the wreckage revealed that the drive shaft of the bus had been converted to fit the engine, and had been welded instead of being properly secured with nuts and bolts.
The welded areas reportedly showed signs of breaking over time, before giving way, leading to the crash.
In the meantime, the policewoman who owned the Golden Dragon minibus is to return to court on October 5, where the prosecution is to decide if she should be charged jointly with Robinson in the matter.
She is Constable Nessia-Gaye Taylor, who is assigned to the St Ann’s Bay Police Station.
She is charged under the Road Traffic Act by the police for no insurance coverage and no road licence. In addition, she was charged under the Road Traffic Act by the Transport Authority for aiding and abetting no insurance coverage and no road licence.
