Vehicle had multiple faults – vehicle inspector

A thorough inspection of the vehicle that Antwone Anthony was driving on the night he crashed into several bystanders at Clare Valley, reveals that the car had multiple faults.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, head of the traffic department, Superintendent Kenneth John, disclosed that a gazetted police motor vehicle{{more}} inspector found at least four faults, on Sunday December 7, less than 24 hours after the auto collision which injured 11 people – killing one.

“The fuel pump relay was not working and it looks like some repairing work was done on it. That relay is what pushes fuel to the injectors,” John said.

He further revealed that starter relay had work done on it and the fuse for that starter had been bridged.

The car was also running without a fan belt, which upon inspection, was found in the backseat of the vehicle.

“All these were shown to the driver upon inspection by the gazetted motor vehicle inspector. The inspection was done at the scene in Clare Valley,” he said.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that while on the scene at Clare Valley, investigators questioned the driver about the findings, but he did not answer, except to tell investigators where the fan belt could be found.

According to John, the vehicle was then taken to the police garage on a flat bed trailer, where, through his experience, the vehicle inspector was able to start the car.

Anthony is currently warded at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and is being treated for high blood pressure.

When the 39-year-old CD vendor is released from the hospital, he will go before the court to answer to five traffic offences, including causing the death of 78-year-old Edgar Cruickshank of Questelles, by driving motor vehicle P7516 dangerously, at Clare Valley, on December 6.

Station Sergeant Junior Nero is the lead investigator in the matter.(KW)