Spain mourns crash victims as train driver charged
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain / Galicia, July 29, 2013 (AFP) - Mourners gathered for a memorial service Monday for the 79 people killed in Spain's worst train disaster in decades, after the driver was charged with reckless homicide.
The judge released the driver on bail, charged with 79 counts of reckless homicide, said the regional high court in Santiago de Compostela, the northwestern pilgrimage city where the crash occurred on Wednesday.
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo, 52, admitted to the judge he had a “lapse” of concentration while driving the train, Spanish media reported on Monday, citing
The judge released the driver on bail, charged with 79 counts of reckless homicide, said the regional high court in Santiago de Compostela
court sources.
The heir to the Spanish throne Prince Felipe and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, a native of Santiago, were scheduled to attend the service at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, a popular Roman Catholic pilgrimage destination.
Garzon left court after Sunday evening's two-hour hearing by car for an unknown location. Press photographs showed him in handcuffs, a gash on his head from the accident and his eyes hidden behind sunglasses.
He has been ordered to report to court every week and forbidden to leave Spain for six months.