Man Dies in Motorcycle Accident in Hopkins Village

A man lost his life in a fatal motorcycle accident in Hopkins Village on Saturday night. Nineteen-year-old Amaad Arana was almost at his destination at a nightspot on the Hopkins access road when he was knocked down and killed. Sadly, one of Arana’s brothers who was at the nightclub witnessed the incident and never knew that it was his brother until he ran out to render aid. Meanwhile, chairman of Hopkins Macario Augustine is calling for speed bumps to be placed along the stretch of road. News Five’s Marion Ali visited Hopkins Village and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

This is where the motorcycle that nineteen-year-old Amaad Arana was riding ended up after it was struck from behind by a vehicle. The driver of the mid-size SUV attempted to overtake him as he turned into this entrance to the Uno Service Station near Savannah View Restaurant. This is also where he was heading for a night of socializing.

 

Raheem Casimiro, Brother of Amaad Arana

“He told me he was coming to Savannah right here at the night club. That’s the last text I got from him. Me and my other brethren were sitting right there at the top. We saw everything. My brethren told me “watch this” before it even happened. By the time I could sit down, all  yoh hear da jus wa bang.”

 

Raheem Casimiro was already at the establishment and witnessed the accident from the deck where he was seated. He did not know that it was his brother who was knocked down.

 

Raheem Casimiro

“We reach down ya, not knowing it was Amaad, not knowing he was under the vehicle. We rolled back the vehicle and I looked at him and when I saw his face, I went under the vehicle for him and picked him up, me and my other brethren. I told him to stay with me, stay with me but I know he was already gone.”

 

Macario Augustine, chairman of Hopkins Village, told News Five that Arana was a popular athlete in the community.

 

Macario Augustine, Chairman, Hopkins Village

“We took a team to Belize City. I think a couple months ago. I mean, they were like – he was like always full of energy. He’s always full of energy and he’s a respectable young man as well. He was always engaged in sports and always on go when it comes to like competition or – he always engaged in sports in the community.”

 

Raheem Casimiro

“This is a nightclub and people leave from here intoxicated and everything soh wi need a speed bump right here.”

 

According to the chairman, the area where the accident happened is known for speeding. He hopes that authorities will place speed bumps there to avoid a repeat of this tragedy.

 

Macario Augustine

“We did request some bumps within the village, but we’re still waiting. And I think, I mean, it’s time for us to install those bumps in these areas, particularly in this area, which is in –  we have businesses here, gas stations. So I mean, this is very needed of bumps in this area.”

 

Raheem Casimiro says that Amaad was a passenger on the motorcycle.

 

Raheem Casimiro

“The driver that was driving the vehicle was trying to overtake, same time the guys were turning on the motorbike into the night club. That was when the impact happened. When we done put Ahmad in the vehicle and rush him to the hospital that was when I walked back here and that was when I saw the other guy in the drain, lay out.”

 

Keegan Martinez, who drove the motorcycle, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. Marion Ali for News Five.