BELIZE DISTRICT–Alcohol is suspected to have played a major role in a hair-raising road traffic accident involving three vehicles and a number of passengers that occurred late yesterday evening at Mile 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway near the Burrell Boom cutoff.

Today, Police Rural Executive Officer, Inspector Frederick Gordon, told the media that yesterday, Sunday, at about 6:20 p.m., Ladyville police received information of a road traffic accident near Mile 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway.

Upon arrival, police saw that there was a 3-car pile-up, including a gray late model Cadillac CTS car, a green Mitsubishi L200 pickup, and a red Geo Tracker.

Gordon mentioned that at this time, investigations are still ongoing to find out what led to the accident, but so far, statements have been recorded, medical forms have been issued, and also, a blood specimen was taken from the driver of the Geo Tracker.

While we understand that at least three people were injured and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital, Gordon noted that none of their injuries were life-threatening.

Police believe that alcohol may have contributed to the incident, and the driver of the Tracker, who was also injured, has been served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP).

Gordon advises motorists who will be traveling the highways over the holidays to find a designated driver if they are under the influence of alcohol, since “you can end your own life if you are caught in an accident.”

He also warned that Ladyville police will be stepping up on patrols and checkpoints over the Christmas, and that they will be taking drivers from behind the wheel if they are judged not to be fit to drive.