Popular Belmopan Entrepreneur Dies Following RTA

Belmopan is mourning the loss of Skyler Williams, a beloved businessman who tragically died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday afternoon. Williams, thirty-four, was riding his motorcycle on George Price Boulevard with a female passenger when they collided with a van. The impact threw both off the bike, and sadly, Williams’ injuries were fatal. Known throughout the city as the life of the party and an exceptional chef, Williams’ death has left a void in the community. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled to Belmopan to bring us more on this heartbreaking story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The sudden death of Skyler Williams, a thirty-four-year-old businessman from Belmopan, has deeply affected his community. Since his tragic passing in a traffic accident on Saturday, social media has been flooded with heartfelt condolences and memories of Williams. He was well-loved for his vibrant personality and culinary skills. Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold was one of the first to arrive at the scene near a grocery store on George Price Boulevard, just moments after the accident occurred.

 

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold, First Responder

“I was trying to help with the young lady that got involved in the accident. He was just giving that young lady a ride. We were trying to calm her down because she was having a asthmatic attack and said she was asthmatic. She gave me some of the information of what happened. I walked back to Skyler, I still did not know it was him. His phone rang and I picked up the phone and saw a picture of him and I got hysterical. That dah my, not my blood brother. That is my brother. I stayed there with him. Mr. Simpson was also on the scene and we calmed him down. We stayed there for about fifteen or twenty minutes before the police came. The ambulance came about ten minutes after the police came, so we was laying on the ground for about twenty to thirty minutes before aid was rendered to him.”

 

Williams was driving his motorcycle along with a female passenger when they crashed into an oncoming van. Police say that an investigation is underway.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Police visited the area where the saw a motorcycle and a van with damages. Information is that a motorcycle being driven by Skyler Williams who had a passenger with him, and the van was being driven by Terresa Reyes, at some point the collided. Skyler Williams was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.”

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold

“She said he was giving her a ride, taking her home and they were taking her into the Chinese to go to the store and the van was coming and I guess he was tyring to beat the turn before the van.”

Skyler Williams was cherished for his joyful personality and remarkable cooking skills. He made his living by catering delicious food to his customers. His mother, Danette Elijio, shared with News 5 that she taught Skyler how to cook when he was just ten years old.

 

On the Phone: Danette Elijio, Mother of Deceased

“Skyler was the first child to bless my womb. The one who gave me the title of mother. He was a uniquely talented individual, a gift that kept on giving even unto his last breath. At ten years old, I thought my son to cook and while he was growing up, often times we would get together on Sunday and share cooking skills. As he grew up he loved creative arts and did that best in his kitchen.”

Williams’ cousin, Gabriel Ramirez, shared similar sentiments about him.

 

Voice of: Gabriel Ramirez, Cousin of Deceased

“Skyler was a people person. I got a little money and we were about to, because Skyler is a food person. Everyone knows him as a food person. When people hear Skyler food they rush it because it is always quality and best. How he passed, the amount of people that show support for him that shows the kind of guy he was. I want to tell we Belmopan people, we lost a legend in Belmopan and I want to ask my people to remember him for the good ways he treated people.”

 

Petzold says he fought to the very end. But ultimately the injuries he sustained proved to be fatal.

 

Chantel Magdaleno-Petzold

“Skyler is a fighter and he fought for his life before they took him to that hospital. I stayed there until they took him to the stretcher. They got him ready to put him in the ambulance, put the neck brace on his neck. I stay there and I spoke to him. I said, Sky it is Chants. Stay there and fight, fight for your life we are getting help for you. I spoke to him. Skyler dah love, to know Skyler is to love Skyler even with his rough edges.”

Skyler Williams leaves behind three children. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.