BELIZE CITY, Wed. July 28, 2021– On Tuesday, a highly respected soldier of the Belize Defence Force lost his life in a terrible road traffic accident on the George Price Highway. He has since been identified as 45-year-old Staff Sergeant Victor Martin, a Special Force operator, and a physical instructor for the BDF.

The accident occurred on Tuesday evening after Martin left the Ladyville Price Barracks and headed westward. When he neared Cotton Tree Village, his motorbike collided with the pickup of Arlie Ayala, who was making a left turn into the Mall gas station. Martin’s motorcycle crashed into the pickup head-on, and he was flung from his motorbike before it burst into flames. He was found lifeless in some nearby bushes.

Ayala has since been charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention, and failing to give way when changing directions.

Martin’s family and colleagues at the BDF have made public statements in which they’ve said that he was beloved by all of them, and that he was always passionate and dedicated to his duties.

Martin did not have any children, but was described as “married to the force” by one of his colleagues who remembered his excellence.

Recently, Martin had joined a bike club known as the Easy Riders motorcycle club and was an avid biker who, it has been said, practiced all safety measures, including wearing a full body suit and helmet each time he rode.