Cayo Residents Demand Road Safety Reforms After Tragic Crash

Belize recorded its deadliest car crash on December 7 on the George Price Highway. The head-on collision claimed 10 lives, including a 4-year-old girl, and left 4 others injured. The crash occurred between miles 71 and 72 near Kontiki Service Station. A Ford Expedition SUV with four occupants collided with a Toyota Corolla carrying nine people, causing the Corolla to burst into flames, killing all inside. A motorcyclist behind the SUV also crashed into it and died on impact. The SUV’s four occupants survived but were injured.

The victims have been identified as Ruduel Parham (driver), Shailer Lopez, Abigail Bradley, Keilin Pinelo, Jaheim Inglesias, Aimie Hernandez, Dennis Williams, Jasmine Rodriguez, Jazelle Rodriguez, and Alessandro Carrillo.

Fundraising efforts to help the victims, including those who survived, have been launched.

Habet welcomed the community’s input, noting that while criticism of government agencies was expected, the dialogue remained respectful. Concerns were raised about the performance of traffic departments in municipalities, the Transport Department, and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH). Issues ranged from a lack of vehicle inspections for tires, brakes, and lights to the need for better-marked roads, more visible road signs, and timely maintenance of faded markings.

One notable concern was the absence of driving schools in Cayo, which residents believe could help young drivers gain proper experience before obtaining a license. Other suggestions included addressing political interference in traffic law enforcement, with calls for an end to instances where politicians allegedly pressure police to release certain individuals from traffic violations. “That has to stop. We cannot continue like that,” Habet stated firmly.

The community also called for spaces where young people can socialise responsibly, with a focus on curbing over-drinking. Habet echoed this sentiment and urged families to take an active role in guiding youth, whom he described as “valuable to our communities and valuable to our country.”

Habet said that he has raised concerns during the construction of the highway from Belmopan to San Ignacio. At the time, he proposed to then-Prime Minister Dean Barrow that the government acquire more land to build a four-lane highway, rather than the existing two-lane design. “From what I hear from the Transport Department, a high percentage of head-on collisions occur because of overtaking, and that’s because we only have two lanes on the road,” he explained. Habet stressed the need to address this issue gradually but decisively as part of a long-term solution to improve road safety in Belize.