Police are remaining tight-lipped about their investigation into the Dec. 6 tour bus wreck that killed two American tourists, and the husband of one victim recently claimed that he too has been largely kept in the dark.
The bus, which was carrying 20 passengers from the cruise ship Celebrity Summit, was descending the Cane Garden Bay hill when it collided with the hillside embankment in the late morning.
Dana Husereau, 53, of Connecticut, and Mary Kettner, 67, of Wisconsin, died in the wreck.
Police Information Officer Diane Drayton confirmed in December that police were investigating the incident, and said that investigators had removed and secured the tour bus in preparation for a mechanical inspection.
However, Ms. Drayton declined on May 10 to confirm if the mechanical inspection had been carried out, or to provide other updates on the investigation.
“Police don’t ever comment or speculate on any findings in any case before the matter goes to court other than to say if an arrest has been made in a matter,” Ms. Drayton said. “No arrest has been made in the matter.”
Husband
Ms. Husereau’s husband Pat, an American who was also on board the bus at the time of the wreck that killed his wife, said via a Facebook message on May 10 that it has been “difficult” to obtain information about the investigation.
According to Mr. Husereau, he was never told the name of the driver or the suspected causes of the accident.
“No information has been released other than to the magistrate, who evidently rules the island,” he wrote.
Mr. Husereau also said he was confused as to why family members were not permitted to identify his wife’s body until Dec. 14.
Police response
Ms. Drayton responded yesterday to a Friday e-mail about his allegations.
“Both husbands who lost their wives in the bus collision have been kept updated in relation to the progress of the investigation with e-mails from the deputy commissioner of police and family liaison officer,” she wrote in an e-mail. “Presently a completed file is now in the hands of the [director of public prosecution’s] office for vetting and advice. It is a lengthy process, but the RVIPF has no control at this point and certainly nothing that can prejudice the case can be discussed or shared with anyone.”
Ms. Drayton then explained that the hospital does not have a forensic pathologist on staff, and therefore had to wait for one to arrive from overseas before permitting family members to identify the bodies.
“The system has inherent delays,” she added.