Mother of Joseph Garcia Wants Answers

It’s been over three weeks since Joseph Garcia tragically died after crashing into the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital while desperately seeking medical help for gunshot wounds. Garcia, along with passengers Ronlee Petillo and Shamar Faber, was driving along the Phillip Goldson Highway when they were suddenly attacked. While Petillo and Faber were lucky to survive, Garcia sadly didn’t make it. His mother is still searching for closure. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

On March eleventh, three individuals made headlines after their vehicle crashed into the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Behind the wheel was twenty-two-year-old Joseph Garcia, who tragically lost his life in the crash. Today, Garcia’s mother, Rosalia McLaughlyn, is still seeking answers.

 

Rosalie McLaughlyn, Mother of Deceased

“I just need justice fi mi son because it’s been three weeks now, right? And then I really not di get no answers. I really noh hear nothing about the case. And then as a grieving mother, it hurt and thing, and then fi she that how my son dead inna the type of way, it very hurt because my son was innocent as to what was said on the news when it happened.”

 

McLaughlyn says that the case hasn’t seen much progress, and she’s desperate for answers. She explains that her son was just an innocent victim, caught in the deadly attack after he kindly offered Faber and Petillo a ride into Belize City. This was confirmed by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams in his initial briefing of the incident.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: March 11^th, 2025)

“The young man who died is certainly innocent. He is from Dangriga. Apparently, he just came up and took Petillo to the Maxboro area and because he was with Petillo he became a victim of those circumstances.”

 

Both Petillo and Faber have been discharged from the hospital. Petillo, also known as Nino Brown, is now paralyzed due to his injury. KHMH CEO Chandra Cansino described the sheer force of Garcia’s crash into the building.

Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., KHMHA (File: March 11^th, 2025)

“They came straight to the hospital. Unfortunately, I think because of the seriousness of the injuries, the driver was unable to make it to the emergency unit. They drove straight into the building. Where you saw the truck is actually the cafeteria and so, thankfully, there are no patients there, but we do have our staff there. So we were concerned both for them and the integrity of the building.”

 

McLaughlyn states that while nothing can bring her son back, justice would bring her some closure.

 

Rosalie McLaughlyn

“I really haven’t gotten any closure as yet and if something would’ve come up, somebody detained or wa suspect, at least I would’ve feel wa relief and at least they’re coming a step closer, to find who is responsible or something like that. So that just how I feel, and I mean that my oldest child and fi see the way he he get killed. It really hurt me. It really hurt me.”

 

Garcia is fondly remembered by his family and friends as a joyful and humble soul, always smiling and eager to learn from others. McLaughlyn feels her son’s life was tragically cut short and hopes that by reaching out to the public and the police department, some progress will be made in the case.

 

Rosalie McLaughlyn

“The day when I get this news, because he went up the Thursday and he was supposed to come back home on the Sunday and the Sunday morning when I get this news, it very heartbreaking for me. You understand? Very heartbreaking. And so I just mi di  appeal to the police, something they’re must missing. Or even the public, somebody that knows something that can help with the case. Something weh ney di miss maybe somebody could come forward and say something,”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.