Driver with no licence or insurance charged after fatal Ocho Rios crash

The police have charged the driver of a motor car that reportedly got out of control and killed a 62-year-old woman in Ocho Rios, St Ann on Saturday.  

Rodney Thompson, 27, of Geddes Town, St Mary was charged on Thursday with causing death by dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without a driver's license, and driving a vehicle without insurance coverage. 

The victim, Claudette Thorpe of Petersfield, St Mary, was pronounced dead at the St Ann's Bay Regional Hospital Saturday morning, after being struck by a Toyota Mark X driven by Thompson, the police say. 

The accident, which happened shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday, was captured on CCTV. It showed the car heading along Main Street, Ocho Rios in an easterly direction towards Pineapple, getting out of control, climbing a sidewalk and hitting Thorpe, who was walking on the sidewalk in the same direction. 

The impact of the vehicle also broke a utility pole. 

After the accident, Thompson ran from the scene but was later taken to the police by relatives. 

The Gleaner was unable to obtain his court date.The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.