Licence suspension for driver charged with Homestretch fatalities

Police yesterday announced that the driver’s licence of the minibus driver charged with the deaths of five of his passengers along Homestretch Avenue in July has been suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

Jermin Jackson, of Lot 97 Section ‘A’ South Sophia has been charged with five counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

Jackson allegedly drove minibus BMM 9888 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Erica La Cruz, Crazel Paul, Junior Duncan, Peter Mc Lennon and Coretta Benjamin.

Jermin Jackson

Benjamin, 39 of ‘B’ Field, Sophia; her daughter, Crazel Paul, 8; Peter Mc Lennon, 29, of ‘B’ Field South Turkeyen; and Junior Duncan, 48, also of Sophia, died on the night of the accident while La Cruz, 18, succumbed the following morning after undergoing surgery.

Ten other passengers were injured in the accident.

Police said the accident occurred when one of the minibus’ rear tyres blew out, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The minibus toppled several times along the roadway before coming to a halt several yards away at the side of the road.

The bus had been transporting passengers from Sophia to the Stabroek Market bus park.