Sabrina Marshall, daughter of Janet Thompson who was one of five victims in the 2023 crash; and Lambert Johnson and Faith Salmon, attorneys for taxi driver Delroy Rodney

By Kimone Witter 

The family of one of the five victim’s from the fatal Bluefield’s main road crash in 2023 is disappointed with Thursday’s ruling which saw taxi operator Delroy Rodney getting a three-year suspended sentence in the Westmoreland Circuit Court.

Rodney had pleaded guilty to five counts of causing death by dangerous driving stemming from the November 13, 2023 incident.

Fifteen-year-old schoolgirl Lavecia Forrester and her 39-year-old mother, Petrina Wallace, of Gordon district in Whitehouse; Oneil Allen and his mother, 65-year-old Angela Samuels, of Mount Edgecombe; and 54-year-old Janet Thompson, of a McAlpine address died in the crash.

Justice Courtney Daye noted that while the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is five years imprisonment, Rodney was given a reduced sentence due to his early guilty plea, his expression of remorse, and his previous clean criminal record.

But the daughter of Ms. Thompson believes the justice system has been a letdown for her family.

“It is a shock to my family given the fact that five lives were lost,” she said, adding that the sentence of no prison time does not send a good message. 

Ms. Marshall, who was speaking with Radio Jamaica News, added that monetary compensation will not soften the impact of losing her mother – a sentiment shared by Cleveland Samuels, who lost his wife and stepson in the crash.

Rodney was ordered to pay $500,000 on each count to the families of the five victims, totalling $2.5 million.

The money must be paid by March 31.

Another $500,000 will be paid to a surviving passenger.

Rodney is also not allowed to hold a driver’s licence for the next three years.

In the meantime, the attorneys for Delroy Rodney said compensation will be made to the victims’ families and survivor by today (Friday).

Lambert Johnson and Faith Salmon on Thursday praised the judge for being merciful toward their client, who they described as a “good, solid, upright person”. 

The attorneys said they worked tirelessly to get the desired outcome, including securing a petition signed by 160 members of the community “begging for mercy” on behalf of the taxi driver.