At the peak of the rush hour this evening, a little before 6:00 p.m. in Ladyville, at the junction of the Shell Gas Station and the old Philip Goldson International Airport Road at Mile 8½ on the Northern Highway, Denfield Tillett, a motorcyclist, almost lost his life after he was flung from his bike unto the road. He fortunately sustained only scrapes and cut wounds to his body.
Tillett was hit by two vehicles driving in opposite directions. Tillett himself was driving from the direction of Belize City, past Ladyville toward the Boom Road, when he was involved in the accident.
According to the driver of one of the vehicles, there was nothing he could do to prevent the accident, because he claims that Tillett was overtaking a bus and was caught between two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. One of the vehicles was heading in the direction of Belize City, while the other was heading in the same direction as Tillett.
Jose Alexander Deras, accompanied by his brother Luis Deras, both of a Western Highway address, told us at the scene that they were heading towards Belize City on the Northern Highway, from the Boom Road in a pickup truck loaded with charcoal.
Jose further explained that Tillett was heading in the direction of the Boom Road, traveling behind a bus that was also heading in the Boom Road direction. A red vehicle also was seen in front of the bus.
In his account of the incident, Jose said that Tillett overtook the bus, at which point Tillett had slight contact with the red vehicle, the effect of which made him crash into his, Jose’s vehicle.
Jose said he could not avoid hitting Tillett, despite swerving off the road. Witnesses said that Tillett was speeding, after just having ridden away after buying a few items at a nearby roadside store.
On impact, Tillett and his bike skated on the road and landed a short distance away from the point of impact. Amandalaobserved a crushed helmet and a single foot of Tillet’s rubber slippers, broken mirrors and his damaged bike.
According to eyewitnesses, Tillett was conscious and talking after the accident. He had several cuts and scrapes to his hands, knees and ankle. He was rushed by ambulance to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Deras said he was really sorry for what had occurred, for he truly tried to avoid Tillett.
At press time tonight, no one has been served with an NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) by police.