Traffic Accident

Following the tragic accident on Friday, December 6th, which resulted in the death of American tourist 40-year-old Jennifer Hernandez, police have charged her boyfriend, 39-year-old Isaac Jeremy Flores. He faces charges of reckless driving, driving without due care and attention, death by careless conduct, and failure to provide a specimen for analysis. Flores was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Monday, December 9th, where he was granted bail set at $10,000, along with a surety of $5,000. He was able to post bail and avoided being remanded to the Kolbe Foundation Central Prison in Belize. The bail conditions require that Flores attend the preliminary inquiry, as well as the High Court arraignment and trial when they are scheduled.

On November 29th, a tragic accident occurred involving a bus carrying students from the Ocean Academy male basketball team. The van was en route to a basketball tournament in Orange Walk Town when its tires blew out, resulting in significant injuries among the passengers. Reports indicate that the bus was transporting 20 students and staff members at the time of the incident.

A motorcycle accident in the early hours of Sunday, November 10th, resulted in the death of 30-year-old Eric Williams. The tragic incident occurred on Crocodile Street in the San Pedrito area, where Williams crashed into a lamppost, sustaining severe head injuries. According to an official report, the accident happened just past midnight. It stated that Williams, a carpenter from the DFC area, was riding a black and blue AKT motorcycle when he collided with the lamppost.

In late July of this year, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) discussed a new policy to restrict large sand/dump trucks in the downtown area. Mayor Gualberto 'Wally' Nuñez mentioned a new regulation requiring these large vehicles, mainly transport construction material, to be barged. The new policy also restricted trailers over 20 feet long. However, no further updates on this regulation have been shared while these large trucks continue to drive through the town core, which is seemingly unregulated.

Island resident and bartender Danny Sosa, 23, remains hospitalized after he was knocked down by a golf cart driven by an alleged intoxicated driver. Sosa's left leg was severely injured and required two surgeries. As he remains hospitalized at the Orange Walk Sugar City Medical Centre, the family is reaching out to the public for help with medical expenses. There will be a fundraising Bar-B-Que on Sunday, May 19th, on Pescador Drive in downtown San Pedro, and anyone able to make a monetary donation can do so to the account under the name of Josseline Carolina Fuentes, Belize Bank, 237446010160000. The family can also be contacted at the phone number 626-0620.

While no one was reported injured in a traffic mishap on Wednesday, August 23th, involving two large trucks on the northern road of Ambergris Caye, the incident raised concerns among commuters using the daily route. The issue of these large trucks speeding can potentially endanger other motorists. The problem is a shared concern with residents in the downtown area equally traversed by these large trucks. The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and its transport department have set schedules and regulations for these large vehicles, but the issue persists. Those concerned urge the respective authorities to do more before someone gets hurt.

On Thursday, December 15th, a section of northern Ambergris Caye experienced a power outage after a motorist crashed his vehicle into a light post. According to reports, two children were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, but only one of them received minor injuries to the face, while the driver was observed bleeding from the side of his face. After both the children and the driver were treated, he was detained by police, fined, and released.

On Wednesday, October 19th, friends, and relatives held a dollar drive in downtown San Pedro to raise much-needed funds to cover the medical expenses of fellow islander Maria ‘Aura’ Rivera. A golf cart reportedly knocked down the 52-year-old woman on a bicycle and seriously injured her. According to Rivera’s daughter Diani Rivera, her mother needs an urgent computerized tomography (CT) scan and surgery. Anyone able to help the family can contact her at 650-3508.