Spanish judge to question driver in deadly crash

The driver of a train that hurtled off the rails killing 79 people in Spain is to appear before a judge for questioning on Sunday, facing possible charges of reckless homicide.

Francisco Jose GarzonAmo, 52, refused to answer police questions on Friday from his hospital bed, and the case was passed to the courts.

He was taken to a police station on Saturday after being discharged from hospital and will appear on Sunday before a judge who will decide whether to press formal charges.  

Under Spanish law, a suspect can be detained for a maximum of 72 hours before being heard by a judge. Interior minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told reporters on Saturday that Garzon Amo faced possible charges of reckless homicide. 

He was speaking during a visit to the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela where the crash happened.