Auto Accidents - Channel 5 Belize

City Hall and Courts Sign MOU for Traffic Safety

This afternoon, a little girl was knocked down and seriously injured as she rode on the back of a motorcycle with an adult. The incident happened on New Road shortly after two p.m. The minor, in her school uniform, was not wearing a helmet when the driver of the motorcycle collided into an oncoming vehicle. We do not know the extent of the child’s injury; however, the accident came several hours after the Belize City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Unicomer, the parent company of Courts Belize, for a traffic safety campaign. There has been a significant increase in the cases of road traffic accidents involving persons on motorcycles. The alarming rate of these RTAs has prompted several agencies, including the Traffic and Transport departments to join forces for law enforcement. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Traffic safety prevents accidents that can lead to injuries or fatalities. With a marked increase in the number of motorcycle accidents recorded since the beginning of the year, the Belize City Council and Unicomer have joined forces to raise public awareness on the recurrent issue of road traffic accidents involving motorcycles. RTAs are a significant public health concern, resulting in death or serious injuries that have long-term impacts on health and quality of life.

Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor

“We have been noting for some time now that motorcycle accidents have been on the rise. You can see for this year that twenty-seven out of sixty-five fatalities were through motorcycles, and as a city and a responsible municipality, we couldn’t sit by without taking some proactive steps. Being able to partner with Unicomer and Courts and the entire and the entire AKT team was something substantial for us.”

CitCo and the parent company for Courts Belize have entered a memorandum of understanding that will see a joint effort in public information being shared on road safety. Edgar Alvarez is the Commercial Regional Manager for the automotive division of Unicomer.

Edgar Alvarez, Commercial Regional Manager, Unicomer

“We see it very important to take care of the people that are in the streets, you know, not just as the mayor mentioned, riding the bikes but the people that are surrounding the streets. It’s not just the driver that is the person that is one hundred percent responsible for the accidents. We have some pedestrians and we have other people that are involved in different accidents that are not behaving the way they should be.”

Courts Belize is the agent for AKT motorcycles. Following its growth in Colombia, the company decided to expand its reach into Central America and the Caribbean through the Unicomer Group. The well-known AKT 150GT was introduced to Belize four years ago.

Edgar Alvarez

“So we saw the increase in the sales of the motorcycles, the increase in the accidents that were happening in the streets and we decided to go the best way possible with the Belize City Council to really have an impact on the society and the people that are driving the motorcycles.”

Traffic accidents can be costly, involving medical expenses, repairs and lost productivity. Reducing accidents through safe driving practices helps minimize these economic burdens. Adhering to traffic laws is a legal obligation. Violations can result in fines, penalties, or even imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offense.

Bernard Wagner

“What this will do now is really assist us in providing the equipment for some of our enforcement officers, being able to have the necessary equipment to enforce the traffic laws within Belize City. We also looking at how we could raise awareness through campaigns and we also have to ramp up enforcement, that is the key part. So it has to be a kind of multi-sectoral approach. We require, again, assistance through the Transport Department, as well, in terms of really looking at how we could enhance the existing laws that we have in place, in terms of penalties.”

By prioritizing traffic safety, motorists can contribute to a safer, more efficient, and more harmonious road environment for everyone. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Police Pursuing Individual Who Knocked Down Lord Rhaburn

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has joined the call of Belizeans demanding that the individual who injured Gerald Rhaburn, popularly known as Lord Rhaburn, in a hit and run incident, come forward. As we reported, the eighty-eight-year-old was exiting a taxi on Thursday night on Coney Drive when a vehicle passed by hitting the taxi door and Rhaburn. He was treated for his injuries and later released from the hospital. But are police refusing to review every available surveillance camera in the area. Rhaburn’s family accuses the department of such. ComPol Williams denied the accusation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“That is not true. I know that I have received a complaint in that respect, and I had checked with Mr. Romero, who is the officer commanding Eastern Division, and he have assured me that they have checked the routes. They have found some footages, but the footages are not clear enough for the police to be able to identify exactly who the person or persons were in that vehicle that was involved in the hitting of Mr. Lord Rhaburn. The person who have the heart to knock down an elderly citizen is a heartless person. At the very least they ought to have stopped and see if the senior citizen was okay and have him referred to the hospital and take responsibility. You know, but when we have people who were just knocked down the elderly man or elderly woman and just drive off, then that is not a human being no more. So I would hope that the guilt is going to play on their conscience and they got to come forward and say you know what? I did it and I’m sorry. And then we can move on from there.”

Elderly Motorcyclist Killed in Orange Walk R.T.A.

An elderly man was killed when his motorcycle crashed into another bike on Saturday morning. It happened on the Otro Benque Road in Orange Walk Town and claimed the life of sixty-seven-year-old Honduran, Fermin Lobo. Lobo’s motorcycle crashed into a delivery bike driven by twenty-six-year-old Hugo Vasquez, a delivery man who was reportedly heading in the opposite direction. While Vasquez survived, Lobo was flung to the pavement and died of severe injuries. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told reporters what they had gathered so far.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, 17th of August, 2024, police responded to a fatal road traffic accident at Otro Benque Road in Orange Walk. Upon arrival, they received information that a male person had been taken for medical treatment. They proceeded to the hospital where they found Fermin Lobo, sixty-seven years, with severe injuries, and he succumbed to his injuries. Investigation reveals he was riding a motorcycle and he collided with a tricycle, causing his fatal injuries. An investigation is being carried out. The other driver of the tricycle has been served with an NIP and thereafter, the file will be forwarded to the D.P.P. for directives.”

Man Lies Critical Following RTA; Sales Manager Arraigned

We begin tonight’s newscast with a report of a serious traffic accident that has left a man in a critical condition at the K.H.M.H. and another with a police charge. The accident happened sometime after seven on Friday night, near mile thirteen on the Phillip Goldson Highway. While the police have not yet released details, there’s plenty for us to share on the incident, including reports that the ambulance service was very late in responding because of mechanical failure. BERT Ambulance had no comment when we called them today, but a relative of the victim said that critical time was lost due to the delay in getting their loved one to the hospital. It took the efforts of an employee from Channel Five who is trained in First Aid, along with two doctors who happened to be at the scene, to stop the patient, Alfred Garbutt, from bleeding out at the scene. We’ll hear from his sister later, but we report first on the man charged in connection with the accident.

The allegation is that a sales manager, forty-three-year-old Dennis Lawrence Johnson, was driving a white Toyota Hilux pickup truck under the influence of alcohol when he collided into the back of Garbutt’s motorcycle, sending the fifty-five-year-old cyclist crashing violently onto the pavement. Today, Johnson appeared in the Magistrate’s Court and was bailed on a charge of negligent grievous harm, pending additional charges. No plea was taken, and the prosecution informed the court that the police are expected to charge Johnson with failure to provide specimen. Today, Garbutt’s sister, Carla Garbutt, told News Five that the family is now preparing fundraisers to cover her brother’s mounting hospital bills.

Voice of: Carla Garbutt, Sister of traffic accident victim

“He had his foot broken and he was breathing very fast. And the ambulance that we called broke down. Thanks to Dr. Elijio from [BDF] Camp and a young man from Channel 5, and a doctor, another doctor. I don’t know his name, and another lady that was dressed in orange. They assisted, but those three medical people stopped his bleeding because the ambulance broke down. And it was for maybe an hour, hour and a half. And so Mr. Elijio had to take those little stuff that he had to prepare him from there, the ambulance came, but the ambulance was very, very late. We di do some fundraising and things because the first night, he bill da mi one thousand then he’s in I.C.U, so it’s five hundred a night and we don’t have it. And every three days, we get wa bill fi fifteen hundred dollars. So, we are doing some bread and buns today and Saturday, we are going to do a barbecue sale.”

Anyone wishing to support the family can contact Carla Garbutt at cell number 611- 4883.

Woman Critically Injured While Saving Armadillo

Tonight, a woman is fighting for her life in the hospital while attempting to save another. Reports are that on Sunday night a woman was attempting to move an armadillo out of the way of oncoming traffic in Hattieville when she was hit by a car and critically injured. She was subsequently taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. According to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, police are still investigating the incident.

Reporter

“Is it true that a woman got knocked down because he was trying to save an armadillo?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police,

“That’s what I heard. That there was some armadillo that had been knocked down by a vehicle and the lady was going to pick up that armadillo without looking to see the oncoming traffic and she was hit by a vehicle.”

Reporter

“So no charges for that as yet?’

Chester Williams

“At this time, no.”

Car Crashes into Home on Central American Boulevard

Police are investigating an incident that left one person hospitalized and a house in a state of disrepair. On Saturday, just after nine p.m. police were alerted of an S.U.V. that had driven directly into a house on Central American Boulevard in Belize city. The blue S.U.V. was found lodged under the wooden stilted structure and the driver was taken to the hospital. We spoke with Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, for an update on the situation.

Reporter

“And the investigation of the RTA of the car driving into the house, has anyone been charged for that?”

Chester Williams, commissioner of Police

“At this time, no police are still looking at that matter.”

Motorcycle Accidents Continue to Escalate

Since the first quarter of 2023, insurance premiums particularly on motorcycles went from a hundred dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars per year. And when we visited an insurance company to inquire the reason, they said that it was because serious accidents involving motorcycles in Belize had increased significantly and that their payouts for those accidents for medical treatments had soared and had begun to have an impact on the insurance industry financially. In one week, the insurance company noted that there were between five and seven motorcycle-related accidents in one week. That was almost one per day. There has not been a recent compilation of the number of deadly motorcycle accidents recently, but by police reports, the frequency of these accidents continues to be high. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams says a lot of times the fault is on the motorcycle drivers.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We do have a number of these accidents involving motorcycles and I want to appeal to motorcycle drivers that the rules of the road apply to them as well. Many times, motorcycle drivers believe – or they operate in such a way as if the rules of the road do not apply to them. They overtake on the wrong side. They see vehicle coming and still overtaking – several infractions that they would commit on these motorcycles. And it is a danger to their health. And that’s the reason why we’re seeing that a number of persons are dying as a result of motorcycle accidents. And so we want to encourage motorcycle riders to please adhere to the rules of the road, and if they do it is going to help to save their lives.”

Collision at Belize City Intersection Claims One Life

Belize City police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred on Wednesday, July 24, at around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of King Street and East Canal Street.

Officers found a public bus with front-end damage, driven by 44-year-old Yadir Ernesto Perez, a bus driver from Corozal District. They also discovered a black Meilun motorcycle with extensive damage, driven by 36-year-old Orion Michael McKenzie from Belize City, who had a passenger, 44-year-old Felipe Cowo from San Antonio Village, Toledo District.

Initial investigations suggest that Perez was driving the bus on King Street, while McKenzie was riding the motorcycle on East Canal Street. Allegedly, McKenzie failed to stop at a stop sign and attempted to cross the intersection, leading to a collision with the bus. The impact caused McKenzie to lose control, crashing into a taco stand and injuring himself, Cowo, and 36-year-old Marina Garcia, a businesswoman.

McKenzie and Cowo were transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for medical attention. Unfortunately, McKenzie was pronounced dead on arrival, while Cowo sustained other injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Department of Transport to Increase Road Security

It was a tragic weekend across Belize after a series of road traffic accidents claimed the lives of eight individuals. In the north, two families lost a parent and a child in a collision, and several were critically injured, while in southern Belize a five-year-old and two family members were killed while driving back from celebrating the child’s birthday in Punta Gorda. These unfortunate events have raised concerns with the public about the safety of the roads and highlighted issues regarding their upkeep that need to be addressed. We asked Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer, what the department is doing to address these concerns considering the recent accidents. Here’s what he had to say.

Britney Gordon

“We had a very tragic weekend with several accidents across Belize. Can you speak a little bit about, how the department is responding to that?”

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“Well, the department has started, we have increased the number of patrols, both for the areas that are hot spots. as well as for doing normal checks along the highways. It is also important that we highlight the collaborative effort that we should have between the police and the Department of Transport, especially during the after hours, because majority of these accidents normally happen when the sun goes down, for lack of a better term. But the idea is that we want to collaboratively work along with the police department to have at least some sort of security with us when we do those patrols within the, within the nighttime.”

Britney Gordon

“So there has been some criticism, especially, in the southern region about, poor lighting on the highways and a lack of markings on the highway. So how is the department addressing these issues?”

Leon Gentle

“In my opinion, it’s important for us as well, collaborate with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing because they’re primarily the persons responsible for And that is also about improving the roads and infrastructure within the country, and so it’s is a wider discussion not only from the Department of Transport, but also with the ministry of infrastructure, development and housing, and primarily because of that there has to be that conversation that we have before we can produce a timeline as to how to improve that. But we do agree that there is need for markings on the road. As well as for increasing in lighting or reflectors within the road. So it is a conversation that we intend to have with the Ministry of infrastructure, development and housing.”

Two Families Lose Parents and Sons in Fatal Collision

It was a weekend of tragedy across the country after several fatal road traffic accidents resulted in the death of eight individuals. Southern Belize saw the deaths of three people on Friday, while four perished near Carmelita on Sunday morning and lastly, one person was killed near Harmonyville also in the wee small hours of Sunday. In the North, two families are now grieving the loss of their loved ones after a collision on the Phillip Goldson Highway resulted in the deaths of two parents and two sons. They are, Cecelio de Jesus Arana and his son Alan Arana of Orange Walk Town, as well as Aurora Angelita Chi and her son, Gustavo Chi of Palmar Village. This incident is one of several fatal road traffic accidents that occurred over the weekend, totaling to eight deaths. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero tells us that police are still investigating the cause of the accident. Here’s more on that.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If you happen to be driving along the Phillip Goldson Highway, you may spot something out of the ordinary on the ground around mile forty-five. What may appear to be litter at first glance, is a small memorial to pay tribute to the lives lost over the weekend in a deadly road traffic accident. A total of four people were killed and at least two were injured. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division details the incident.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the fourteenth day of July, 2024, there was a fatal accident between miles forty-five and forty-six on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Police responded where they saw a Mitsubishi Montero vehicle and a Pontiac SUV extensively damaged. Persons were treated and taken to the K.H.M.H. At the scene police also saw the lifeless body of a female. At the conclusion, police then visited the hospital where it was confirmed that Cecilio Arana, Aurora Chi, Gustavo Chi, and Alan Arana all passed away as a result of the fatal RTA. A police officer Andy Garcia, received serious injuries and is being treated And he’s in critical condition at this time.”

The grey vehicle was being driven by forty-one-year-old Cecilio Jesus de Arana and was heading in the direction of Belize City. The black SUV, which was travelling in the direction of Orange Walk, was driven by thirty-nine-year-old Jesus Chi. Police are still investigating the cause of the collision.

Reporter

“Any idea what led to this RTA?”

Hilberto Romero

“Again, this matter is under investigation. The scene was processed, sketch plan was drawn. And we will review the file thereafter to see who is at fault and if any charges will be levied. All persons are receiving treatment at this time.”

The deaths of the four individuals have taken significant emotional tolls on their families, who are now grieving the loss of two beloved family members at the same time. Among those impacted are also friends and community members. Gustavo Chi, one of the deceased, was a teacher at Orange Walk Technical High School at the time of his passing and hailed as an active community member. We spoke with Alberto Tutt, a former student of Chi, who spoke fondly of his teacher.

Alberto Tutt, Former Student of Gustavo Chi

“Mister Gustavo Chi was my literature teacher in first and second form. And to be honest, he was the best teacher in Orange Walk Technical High School and I mean that in the most respectful way possible because he was always so energetic and he always made sure that his students did his work even if he yelled at us every now and then. But he did his best to make sure that we gave our best at performing our best at every piece of work he would give us. Especially when it came to reading books he would encourage all of his students to read books even if they weren’t demanded by the school and that’s why we all loved him at Orange Walk Technical High School.”

Tutt explained that the news of his teacher’s demise spread quickly among the students, who were shocked and saddened by the sudden passing.

Alberto Tutt

“It hit very hard when we found out that he died yesterday morning and everyone was calling me saying that mister is dead. I was like, wow, that’s odd. So it was very heartbreaking news yesterday in the morning. He was a very creative person. He always loved filming his little TikTok videos every now and then. Or he would, we would ask him to participate in a video and he would gladly do it with us. But the most that he could do, or even if he was tired, he would show that he wasn’t tired, but he was very clearly tired most of the time.”

Police officer, Andy Garcia, was critically injured in the incident and is currently receiving treatment at the K.H.M.H. Garcia’s family and colleagues have appealed to the public to make a blood donation to the hospital to contribute to his recovery. Britney Gordon for News Five.