_{Photo: Jamil Bedran, deceased}

1 cyclist and 3 motorcyclists die in 4 separate road accidents

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 30, 2024

Over the weekend, a number of road traffic accidents occurred in different parts of the country which led to four persons losing their lives, and charges have already been brought against some persons in connection with the incidents.

The first of the series of accidents began on Saturday, April 28, in western Belize, when Jamil Bedran, 63, who was riding his motorcycle on Bullet Tree Road in the Cayo District. collided with a pickup driven at the time by Rene Kewell.

Following the accident, Bedran was taken to the San Ignacio Community Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, but unfortunately, he perished two days later.

It was suspected that Kewell was under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred—especially in light of his refusal to provide police with a sample of his body fluids. He was charged with failing to provide specimens for analysis.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Belize Police Department’s Eastern Division, mentioned that Kewell will face additional charges since Bedran passed away.

On Sunday, two more fatalities occurred, the first when an F-150 pickup truck collided with a motorcycle, whose rider died as a result of the injuries he received.

Reports are indicating that the driver of the F-150, Edilberto Romero of Orange Walk, was driving on the George Price Highway near Mile 38 in St. Matthews Village after attending the National Agriculture Trade Show, and was in the process of overtaking several cars ahead, when he collided with Elmer Flores, 46, of Franks Eddy Village, who was riding his motorcycle from the opposite direction. Flores was transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where he passed away.

Earlier that day, between Miles 77 and 78 on the Philip Goldson Highway, Gabriel Chable, 46, was riding a beach cruiser bicycle along the side of the road on the route from Corozal to Orange Walk when he was struck from behind by a Toyota 4Runner

The driver of the 4Runner was identified to be Carlos Avila, who was later caught by police while he was heading to Trial Farm in Orange Walk with what was suspected to be blood on his vehicle’s hood and bumper. He was later charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention.

The last reported fatality, which occurred on the Cristo Rey road, claimed the life of Justin Vasquez, 31. According to reports, a pickup truck had earlier collided with a lamppost, causing its guy wire to hang dangerously low across the road. The pickup had reportedly left the scene, having placed some broken tree branches on the road to warn oncoming motorists, according to a BEL report, which also stated that the guy wire was not energized and posed no threat of electrocution, but was still an obstruction.

With the guy wire still hanging low, Vasquez reportedly came riding on his motorcycle, and collided with the wire, causing him to suffer fatal injuries when falling with his motorcycle. Before Vasquez’s untimely death, the driver of the pickup truck had already fled the scene; however, several items belonging to him remained behind, which may assist police in their investigations.