KINGSTON, Jamaica — The driver of a vehicle which was involved in a fatal crash on the Bustamante Highway in Clarendon Monday morning was nabbed at the Norman Manley International Airport while allegedly trying to flee the island.

The police are now furthering their investigation with a view of administering the appropriate charges.

The update was provided by Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie.

McKenzie was unable to identify the driver at this time but confirmed that he was a 34-year-old male.

Speaking with Observer Online, McKenzie said the vehicle was an illegal taxi that was being pursued by authorities ahead of the crash along Bustamante Highway in the vicinity of Foga Road at 8:30 am.

“Based on all the investigations that have been done so far, the Subaru motor car is an illegal taxi that was spotted by police and transport authority personnel who were on duty within the town of May Pen. They tried to stop the vehicle. The driver did not stop. They attempted to give pursuit, but based on his manner of driving, the report is that they discontinued the pursuit. However, several minutes after, the police were alerted to a crash,” ACP McKenzie said.

“And when they attended the scene, they discovered that it was the same Subaru motor car that was involved,” he continued.

“The preliminary investigations of the police revealed that a Subaru motor car was proceeding westerly, whilst a Toyota Probox motor car was proceeding in the opposite direction. Based on our information, the Subaru motor car collided with the rear of a medium truck, was displaced to the right of the roadway and overturned into the path of the Toyota Probox motor car,” ACP McKenzie explained.

Four students were being transported in the Subaru motor car, two of which have since been confirmed dead and two others who have been hospitalised. The deceased comprise a male and female student.

ACP McKenzie said the individuals in the Toyota Probox motor car did not sustain serious injuries.

The driver of the Subaru motor car, however, fled the scene but was held at the Norman Manley Airport just before midday.

“The driver is not yet charged. However, it is quite likely that he may be charged but we are furthering our investigation with a view of administering the appropriate charges,” the assistant commissioner of police said.

He commended the police force for their quick action.

“It is very good that the police communication and the appropriate attendance system are working in the manner that it is, so that we were able to trap this person and was able to arrest him,” ACP McKenzie said.

READ: Two students killed in Bustamante Highway crash

In the meantime, the Transport Authority has expressed sadness and regret for the loss of the lives of the two Lennon High School children and extended hopes that those who were injured will recover soon.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased as wells as the injured,” the authority said.

The authority, however, is again urging the commuting public to choose only legal public passenger vehicles as their mode of transportation.

Both the police and the Transport Authority are investigating the incident.