A police officer is dead and tonight investigators say a Belize Defense Force soldier might be responsible. 7 Around 9:20 last night 38-year-old Corporal Raul Magana was killed on the spot when his green Mitsubishi Mirage collided into a maroon geo metro being driven by BDF Seageant Enrique Montejo.
Montejo escaped with a broken left foot, a broken right arm, a wound to his head, and he is tonight in a stable condition. It wasn't so lucky for the Magana
family. Corporal Raul was killed on the spot while his wife Marleni received a broken hand, three of her ribs were crushed, and two of her feet were broken. The couple was traveling with their children who also received severe injuries. Their 10-year-old daughter Seleni is in the KHMH after receiving massive head injuries while their 8-year-old son Julian received head injuries. Three other children reportedly cousins were also injured. Myra Pena, Elena Pena, and Christian Pena received varying degrees of injuries. Elena suffered a broken hip and Christian got a swollen right leg.
What caused the accident? Well the BDF soldier says he was northbound on the Northern Highway around mile 74, just outside Ranchito Village, when he swerved to avoid hitting a vehicle and collided into Magana's car. He claims that Magana had on his high beam. A third vehicle, a Toyota Camry, was also
damaged during the collision.
Magana had been with the police department since 1993. His last assignment was at the Patrol Branch in Belize City. Police are taking blood alcohol samples to determine if alcohol was a factor. There are reports that bottles of Mexican Modelo beer were seen at the accident scene.
