Clarke's accident case to continue January 14

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

As the preliminary inquiry into the charge of causing death by dangerous driving against former agriculture minister Roger Clarke continued yesterday, a witness told the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court that the motorcycle ridden by Derron Nicholson had a defective tyre.

Durrant Bennett, certifying officer from the Island Traffic Authority, said the rear tyre of the motorcycle was found to have been worn out and the chassis damaged.

The two other witnesses called were Derrick Nicholson, who identified his son's body, and Oneil Blake, who told the court that he saw the ill-fated bike from about 200 yards away.

Blake said he saw Clarke's Toyota Prado sport utility vehicle (SUV) indicate to go right and Nicholson overtake it on the left.

He said he then heard a loud "bang" and saw the bike crash into the left side of the SUV.

The defence only asked Nicholson how long his son had been riding the bike before the accident.

The elder Nichol-son said his son had been riding the bike for three years and that he was 25 years old when he was killed.

The case has been scheduled to continue on January 14 as the accident reconstruction report was not ready.

Clarke's lead attorney, K.D. Knight, said the delay was unfortunate as the defence was ready to proceed.

The incident occurred about 2 p.m. on August 23 along Old Harbour Road in St Catherine.

Nicholson suffered multiple injuries and later died at the Spanish Town Hospital.