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Bus driver gets 25 years for fatal Homestretch Ave. accident
Magistrate Sueanna Lovell yesterday sent a strong message to errant minibus drivers when she jailed one of them for a total of 25 years for causing the deaths of five passengers, in July last year.
Jermaine Jackson broke into tears as the Magistrate sentenced him to five years each on five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
Jailed bus driver, Jermaine Jackson
However, he will only have to spend five prison years as the sentences will run concurrently.
The Magistrate also suspended Jackson from driving for three years, which will commence after the completion of his prison sentence.
Jackson was the driver of mini bus BMM 9888 on July 18, 2011 when he lost control while overtaking another vehicle on Mandela Avenue, causing the deaths of Erica La Cruz, Crazel Paul, Junior Duncan, Elron Peter Mc Clennon and Coretta Benjamin.
On that fateful evening, the victims were travelling in a route 48 minibus, which had left Sophia, when the vehicle reportedly suffered a blowout shortly after overtaking another bus on Homestretch Avenue. The bus toppled several times. Many of the passengers were hurled through windows onto the roadway.
Yesterday, the 30-year-old Jackson stood trembling in the court as the Magistrate handed down the sentence. His mother was inconsolable and had to be comforted by other relatives who were present throughout yesterday’s hearing.
Following the accident, there was a massive public outcry, including protests and vigils, lamenting the wanton loss of lives as a result of the carelessness of road users, especially drivers of public transportation.
Relatives of the victims were not present in court yesterday when the sentence was handed down. However, those who were contacted by this newspaper expressed pleasure that some amount of justice was served.
Doris Anita Shelto, whose son Elron Peter Mc Clennon was one of the victims, said that she is still reeling from the pain of losing him. However, she said that while she welcomed the decision of the Magistrate, she is trying not to look back at what happened, but ahead to what she can do to ensure there is less loss of lives on the country’s roads.
Shelto, who has been playing a leading role in advocating for proper use of the roads, said that she hopes that the Magistrate’s ruling will serve as a deterrent to other minibus drivers who use the road without care.
“Maybe that was what the Magistrate had in mind when she sentenced him. I agree with her. I think that the sentence will send a message. I take my hat off to the magistrate. I think that she understands what is taking place on our roads and the hurt we are feeling as a result of the carelessness of the driver and she wanted to put a stop to it,” Shelto stated.
Joy Ann Duncan, whose husband Junior also perished in the accident, was relieved that the matter was over and some sort of justice was done.
“For me he is paying for his crime. I can’t bring back my husband and the other little children that died,” she said.
Duncan told this newspaper that she sees one of the injured children almost every day and she cannot help noticing the scar on his face – a reminder of the horrific ordeal he went through.
“The driver came out without a scratch, so this 25 years will serve as an example to other drivers. He should be serving the full 25 years.”
“I have three children who have to grow up without a father, and it’s really hurting, especially at this time of the year,” Joy Ann Duncan added.
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