Driver recounts fatal crash in High Court testimony

A man accused of causing a fatal road accident told the High Court that he was temporarily blinded by oncoming headlights moments before his vehicle collided with an object, resulting in a crash that claimed two lives.

Troy Clinton, of Brereton Village #2, St Philip, is accused of causing the deaths of Akalia Natasha Weir and a female minor by driving a motor vehicle on Lower Estate Road, St Michael, on April 21, 2011, at a speed and in a manner dangerous to the public.

Taking the witness stand in the No. 5 Supreme Court on Friday, Clinton testified that “from then until now this is still traumatising”, adding “I still don’t be myself”.

He recalled that evening he had picked up Weir, Crichlow and their children in St George and took them to a St James supermarket before heading back.

“Upon coming in the direction to Roberts [manufacturing plant], there was a vehicle coming from the right side of me with some very, very bright lights on. When the vehicle got alongside of me, I turned on my bright lights, and I just saw this object in front of me. I pulled to the right side of the road, trying to avoid what was in front of me. After pulling, I heard something screeching, and my windscreen shattered, and the roof of the van came down on my head, and I felt the van come around a bit and stop. There was a lot of debris, and a lot of glass was in my face,” he said.

Clinton recalled that after he managed to get his door open, an older gentleman in another vehicle came to help him and that it was only when he turned around that he saw his van “stick on pun this trailer”.

He then testified to pulling Crichlow from underneath the trailer, breaking a window and pulling out Weir’s son and handing him to a lady who had arrived at the scene, before tying off Crichlow’s arm, which had been severed, with his jacket.

Asked by his attorney, Senior Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, whether he had been distracted before the accident, Clinton replied, ”It was just the bright lights from the vehicle, so I couldn’t see, so just like anyone else would do, I slowed down and when the vehicle got right alongside of me is when I turned back on my bright lights and I just saw the object.”

The accused also told the court that there were no lights or reflective tape on the front of the trailer and that he did not see any flag persons as he approached the area.

Under cross-examination by Principal State Counsel Romario Straker, Clinton said that he had known both women for a very long time and would often drive them around.

Asked whether he would engage them in conversation while driving, he stated, “Honestly not really because I would be trying to focus on the road.”

Clinton told the court that the oncoming vehicle with the bright lights had overtaken a car and he slowed down.

“In your evidence you said that because of the lights you could not see. So because you could not see you thought it was sufficient to brake and slow down and now stop?” Straker asked.

“I consider other road users behind me. What am I to do? Stand up on the brake and let someone run into the back of me. I am not one of those drivers. I look all around me,” Clinton said.

The case continues on Monday when closing arguments will be heard by the all-female jury and Justice Pamela Beckles.

(JB)