BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 23, 2015 –The Olivera family of Ladyville is mourning the death of Austin Olivera, 12, a student of Stella Maris School in Belize City, who died last night at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) from injuries he sustained when he was knocked down in Ladyville on Wednesday morning while crossing the road to catch the bus to come to school.

Olivera was knocked down by a tourist van around 8:00 Wednesday morning at Mile 8 ½ on the Philip Goldson Highway. As a result, he suffered massive head and body injuries, and was rushed to the Belize Defense Force Hospital in Price Barracks, after which he was rushed to the KHMH in a critical and unconscious state. He was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where he battled for his life, but last night he lost the fight.

Sergeant Keith Clark, Deputy Commander of Ladyville police, reported that the driver of the vehicle which knocked down the boy was Errol Belisle, 26, of Amara Avenue in Belize City.

Police say that Belisle told them that he was transporting some tourists from Belize City to Sandhill in his van, and on his arrival in front of Sky City Supermarket in Ladyville, a boy ran across the road in front of the van. Belisle said that he tried to swerve the vehicle, but despite his best efforts, he could not avoid hitting the boy.

A Notice of Intended Prosecution was issued to Belisle, and his vehicle was inspected.

Police continue to warn motorists to drive with care in inhabited areas, and to be on the lookout for people who may suddenly run across the road, because many people live and work in such areas.