Rodman charged for manslaughter

Jamaican cyclist Marloe Rodman has been charged with manslaughter after he was involved in a fatal accident on November 26 in St Catherine, Jamaica. Rodman, the reigning Beacon Cycling on the Avenue champion, is well known to racing in Trinidad and Tobago and currently rides for top local club, Team PSL. The 29 year old is a former Tobago International Cycling Classic (TICC) champion and has participated in almost every local road racing competition on the calendar for more than eight years.

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Rodman was riding his motorcycle along Gordon Boulevard in St Catherine when he lost control of the bike.

According to the allegations, Rodman’s motorcycle crashed into a stationary motorcycle which Anthony Gordon was sitting on. Both Gordon and Rodman were taken to hospital where Gordon succumbed to his injuries.

Rodman was charged on Tuesday with manslaughter, operating an unlicensed motor vehicle, operating a motorcycle with no registration, no certificate of fitness, no insurance and no registration plates affixed.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Desmond Roberts, president of PSL Cycling Club, said he has been in contact with Rodman since the accident and described the latest development as “unfortunate”.

“I tried calling him today but I didn’t get through, because I wanted to find out how his injuries were. I don’t know much details about the accident itself but it is pretty unfortunate that it happened. I know that he probably is a bit shaken up about everything. I spoke to him and his Jamaica national coach and they said they were waiting on some report from the police, and his wife also had some concerns on that,” Roberts said.

Asked about what condition Rodman was in, Roberts said he could tell the Jamaican was in pain from hearing his voice.

Robert Farrier, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation, commenting on the scenario, said it is a lesson for other local athletes to be very conscientious about what they are doing.

“Elite athletes need to be careful of their extra curricular activities. When you’re an athlete at a certain level, you need to be careful of doing certain things because you have to consider yourself an idol and role model to other athletes. It’s a learning experience for the other athletes,” he said.