THE ATTORNEY representing the driver of the ill-fated truck which plunged over a precipice in the Rio Grande Valley, Portland, killing 14 people two weeks ago, says his client was not at fault.

Carl McDonald, who is representing 31-year-old mechanic, Christopher Devon Clarke, told The Gleaner yesterday that, "my client has not committed an offence.

"It is a well-known fact on the day of the accident, which is a very unfortunate one, the roadway just simply broke away, and there is nothing anyone could have done at that time to prevent the roadway from crumbling."

Interviewed by detective

Clarke was interviewed yesterday by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) in Port Antonio, four days after he and his lawyer showed up at the police station.

He had earlier received three days of counselling from trained personnel attached to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Clarke, who was on the run for 10 days after the accident, has since been in police custody.

McDonald told The Gleaner yesterday, after a meeting with his client, that there were indications that Clarke could be charged following the interviews being conducted by the police.

In custody too long

But Clarke's attorney is contending that his client has been in custody without being charged, longer than the period stipulated by law.

"Should the police fail to charge my client by the end of today (yesterday), I will be filing a habeas corpus writ in court for his release," he added.

Seven persons survived the horrific accident, including Lynford Jackson, who is still at the St Ann's Bay Hospital, recovering from a fractured arm and leg.

On the day of the accident, a market truck transporting higglers and farm produce to the Coronation Market in Kingston, plunged over a precipice at Dam Bridge in the Rio Grande Valley with 21 passengers.

The accident has been described as the worst in 30 years in Jamaica.

The 14 people killed in the accident were from the communities of Mill Bank, Ginger House and Comfort Castle.