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.