MAHOGANY HEIGHTS, Belize District, Thurs. Oct. 8, 2015–Tezzrah Diamond Thompson, 11, a student of St. Matthews Government School, who lived in Mahogany Heights, died after she was knocked down by a cargo truck as she was crossing the George Price Highway after she came off the school bus at about 4:30 Monday evening.
The incident occurred at the junction of the Mahogany Heights Road and the George Price Highway. Thompson was hit by a cargo truck that was travelling to Belmopan, and suffered massive head and body injuries.
She was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but she died on Tuesday.
On Monday evening, police immediately detained the driver of the cargo truck, Jose Carlos Rodriguez, 44. He was charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and attention.
Rodriguez was taken to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he was granted bail of $3,000 and ordered to return to court on January 7, 2016. The Court also ordered him to surrender his travel documents and not to try to leave Belize until after the case has been dealt with.
On Thompson’s Facebook page, her classroom teacher, Annette Pech, wrote: “Yesterday, the Lord called my student to sleep until He returns. Tezzrah Diamond Thompson, 11 years old, was humble, friendly, trustworthy, energetic and loving. She was the class treasurer and my walking dictionary. She would never pass an opportunity to read or spellcheck for her teacher. It is my first experience losing a student. I cried as if my heart was about to fail me. The staff and students at my school cried; we felt the true sting of death.
“She was one of three who would give me a kiss first thing in the morning and before she leaves in the evening. As teachers, we never know how much we will impact each student placed under our wings, or how long they will be with us, therefore; we are to love them like the diamonds they are. Her mom sent me a drawing she has on her bed head that allowed me to understand just how great our responsibilities are to these precious souls.
“Whenever she saw me she would not stop telling me how she can’t wait for me to come off study leave to teach her in Std. 6. In her short time here with us, she impacted all who came in contact with her.
“Please help me to pray for her grandma, Ms. Williams, mom Tiffany and her family. She is a light gone too soon, but, His word says, “His thoughts, in ways, are higher than ours.” Tezzi, baby ur truly the apple of His eyes and a diamond in His heart. We loved you and will miss u deeply.”
Tezzrah Diamond Thompson is survived by her mother, Tiffany Williams, and other relatives and friends, as well as the entire student body and staff of St. Matthews Government School.