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by pltm
(PLTM) - The driver in the fatal tour bus accident, that left two tourists dead, was driving at an excessive speed while descending the Cane Garden Bay hill, making a human error which could not effect an escape, according to an expert in accident/mechanic investigations.
Mr. Spencer Earl Grant took the witness stand today, June 28, as the trial into the fatal accident of December 6, 2015 continued in the High Court.
Roger Williams is charged with two counts of Manslaughter and two counts of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, in relation to the death of Dana Husereau, 53, and Mary Kettner, 67.
"In my opinion, it was a human driving error on the part of Mr. Roger Williams...It was an error that couldn't effect an escape," the prosecution witness told the court.
Grant conducted three days of work, including examination of the bus, TX 786, and the scene of the accident, producing a 46 page report. The bus is standard/manual.
He said in his opinion, when Williams started to descend the hill, his intention was to get a little more speed. This, he said, was the fatal point, given the weight ratio on the bus, which was filled to capacity coming down the hill, and resulted in the speed intensifying. The bus was carrying 20 cruise ship passengers.
"I think the right foot was taken away from the brakes, a calculated or un-calculated risk, touching the accelerator to get a little more speed."
He added, "So the vehicle went into an out of control runaway mode...This speed was excessive...Because it is on descend, the speed would be accelerated...exceed the normal speed and rebound, bouncing, off balance."
He said that the driver made all possible efforts as he was concerned for the passengers, but the vehicle was already going at a rapid pace.
Grant disagreed with Williams' claim to police that the gear had just popped out. He said that this could not be the case with a vehicle which was in good working condition.
The expert told the court that because the vehicle was traveling downhill, filled to capacity, the driver would have had to be cautious and prudent.
"The driver's foot had been removed from the brakes at some point, adding more pressure on the transmission," he insisted.
Grant advised that the driver should have kept his right foot on the brakes; left foot on the clutch; use right hand to engage the gear; then clutch gradually to release. He said when going down the hill, the vehicle should be in second gear.
As part of his investigation, Grant did a complete examination of the vehicle, including under the carriage (the body of the bus), steering, transmission, and brakes, etc.
He also examined the external components to ascertain the damage. He said apart from the damage during the accident, the vehicle was in good working condition and noted that there was no defects in the gear box.
Director of Public Prosecution, Kim Hollis, QC and Senior Crown Counsel, O'Neal Simpson, are prosecuting the case; and defense lawyers Richard Rowe and Michael Maduro are appearing for Williams.
