It was a horrific weekend on the highways this weekend as 3 children lost their lives in two separate traffic mishaps.
The first occurred on the Western highway. 32-year-old Jose Guerra of Santa Elena town reported to police that he was traveling on the highway at around 8:30 on Saturday morning when upon reaching miles 65 and 66 a young girl darted across the road. Guerra says he was unable to avoid hitting the 6 year old identified as Samantha Jones of Esperanza village. As a result of the impact Jones died on the spot. Guerra has since been charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and attention.
The second incident occurred on the northern highway where a pickup truck slammed head on into an gas tanker. The driver of the tanker, 21 year old Armin Gonzalez was driving on the highway when he reached around miles 83 and 84 he says he saw a pickup truck that was heading in the opposite direction, veering into his lane. Gonzalez was unable to avoid impact and hit the pickup head on. As a result of the impact 5 year old Jorge Raul Briceno and 1-year-old Zanainy Briceno died on the spot. 27 year old driver Raul Briceno Jr, his wife Mildred Briceno and their two other children 3 year old Saul and 3 month old Raul Briceno all sustained injuries. They were hospitalized and are listed in stable condition. Investigations into this incident are ongoing.