The accident occurred at about 9:20 last night, between Miles 82 and 83 on the Northern Highway, in Ranchito Village, just outside Corozal Town.

A total of 9 persons were involved in the accident, but the only fatality was Corporal Maga?a, who died on impact from massive head and body injuries.

Maga?a was trapped inside his car, wearing a seatbelt. It took police and fire personnel about three hours to remove him from the driver?s seat.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Northern Regional Hospital, said police.

Our sources say that Maga?a?s left hand had been severed.

His wife, Marleni Maga?a, who was seated in the front passenger seat, sustained two fractured legs. In the back were his daughter, Seleni, who sustained head injuries and was knocked unconscious; his son, Julian, who also sustained head injuries; and another son, Christian, who sustained a swollen right leg. Their cousins were also in the vehicle: Myra Pe?a, who sustained head injuries and was knocked unconscious; and Elena Pe?a, who sustained a fractured hipbone.

The driver of the Geo Metro, Montejo, sustained injuries to his head and face as well as a fractured left foot and right hand.

Police report that their initial investigations into the cause of the accident have revealed that Maga?a, a resident of San Joaquin Village, Corozal District, was driving from Corozal Town to San Joaquin Village with his family when Montejo?s vehicle, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with his.

Police have not said whether they have conducted any tests for blood alcohol concentration on any of the two drivers.

Tonight, Maga?a?s body lies at the Northern Regional Hospital morgue in Orange Walk, awaiting a post-mortem.

His wife and son, Julian, are presently hospitalized at the Orange Walk Hospital, while his daughter and other son, Christian, are with the two Pe?as at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City.

Corporal #627 Raul Maga?a was attached to the Queen Street Police Station at the time of his death.

He is survived by his mother – Gloria Brown; wife – Marleni Maga?a; three children: Seleni, Julian and Christian; and three brothers: Marlon, Ravy and Said Brown.

Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 8, at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Corozal Town, at a time to be announced later.