Murray said that when he slowed his bus near a speed bump, a brown truck that was driven by Alfredo Aldana suddenly collided with the rear of his bus.
We spoke to 57-year-old Alfredo, who told us that he was returning to Belize City with his family members and when he approached the area, he saw an oncoming vehicle with its headlights on high. He said that he flashed the headlights of his vehicle three times, but the lights of the approaching vehicle did not change.
According to Alfredo, he suddenly noticed that there was a bus parked in the middle of the road. He said that he was unable to notice the bus at first because the lights were not on.
Alfredo said that in an attempt to avoid the bus, he swerved to its left side, but his vehicle hit the rear of the bus. The truck was extensively damaged.
Alfredo?s son, Floyd, Sr., 33, and his sister, Teaonie, 2, who were seated in the front passenger seat, suffered severe head and body injuries. Only Alfredo and Floyd were wearing their seatbelts.
On Monday, October 24, Floyd, Sr., went into surgery and little Teaonie, who was listed in a critical condition, was being closely monitored in the pediatrics ward. Teaonie died at 3:17 p.m. the following day, Tuesday.
Floyd?s common-law-wife, Araceli Wade, 27, and her three children, Floyd, Jr., 9, Ashley, 8, and Monique, 4, were seated in the back seat of the double- cab truck. Monique and Ashley, who suffered severe injuries, are in the intensive care unit of the KHMH. Monique is in a critical but stable condition, and Ashley is listed in critical condition.
Floyd Sr., who was admitted in a critical condition, is presently in a stable condition.
Floyd Jr., 9, was released from the hospital on Monday, October 24, and Araceli was later released on Tuesday.
Alfredo did not suffer serious injuries, but has abrasions on his arms and a broken middle finger.
Funeral services for Teaonie were held at 4:00 p.m. today at St. Mary?s Church. She is survived by her father, Alfredo Aldana; mother, Ana Berrios; and eighteen sisters and brothers.