The driver involved in a fatal crash on Bustamante Highway in Clarendon was captured at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston while allegedly attempting to leave the country. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch, confirmed the arrest and stated that authorities are progressing their investigation to lay appropriate charges against the 34-year-old suspect.

The crash involved a Subaru motor car transporting four students from Lennon High School. Sadly, a male and a female student were pronounced dead, while two others remain hospitalized, one with severe injuries. Authorities revealed the Subaru was operating as an illegal taxi and was being pursued by police when the accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. near Foga Road. Occupants of the other vehicle, a Toyota Probox, escaped without serious injuries.

Clarendon and Lennon High School are grieving this tragic loss, with students, faculty, and families expressing heartbreak. Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, Daryl Vaz, extended condolences while highlighting the urgent need for better road safety measures. Since the start of 2023, 22 children have died in road accidents across Jamaica, underscoring the scale of the issue.

Authorities emphasize the importance of enforcing traffic laws and curbing illegal taxi operations to prevent further tragedies. This arrest brings a measure of hope for justice as the investigation continues, shining a light on the broader need for road safety reforms in Jamaica.