WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Delroy Rodney, the 47-year-old cabbie who has been charged with five counts of causing death by dangerous driving, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of $7 million.

Rodney made his second court appearance before the Westmoreland Circuit Court, on Tuesday morning.

Attorneys Lambert Johnson and Faith Salmon, who are representing the taxi operator, had initiated a bail application last Wednesday, when the case was moved to the high court. But, due to time constraints, the matter was pushed to Tuesday.

The prosecution objected to bail for Rodney on the premise that he is a flight risk and it was alleged that he fled the scene.

In Rodney’s defence, attorney Johnson argued that the accused did not flee the scene but had rather sought medical help before later that evening contacting the police to make arrangements to surrender.

Justice Daye suggested that the accused turned himself in within a reasonable time.

“That is a factor that carries great weight in a man’s favour for bail,” the judge stressed.

The judge added that Rodney also expressed regret in his actions that resulted in the the death of the victims.

In granting bail, high court judge Justice Courtney Daye said, “He [Rodney] has good conduct, no previous conviction or criminal conviction in driving.”

In reaching the bail sum of $7 million, the judge said three sureties can come forward.

Justice Daye said the court also had to consider that it will take at least six months for the files to be completed and for a trial date to be set.

In granting bail, the following conditions were imposed: a stop order was placed on the accused; he was ordered to surrender his travel documents; report to the Bluefields police station in the parish three times per week between the hours of 6am and 8pm; and he is not allowed to drive during the time he is on bail.

Rodney was also advised not to discuss the case with the witness’ family nor the sole survivor in the crash.

The cabbie is to return to court on February 22.

According to police reports, about 3:30 pm, the taxi, with seven people onboard, was travelling towards Whitehouse when the vehicle it was travelling behind slowed down. The cab driver swerved, collided with a truck that was travelling in the opposite direction and ended up in a tree.

Three of the occupants of the Noah died on the scene, while the two that were transported to hospital succumbed to their injuries on Monday night.

– Kimberley Peddie