There were two fatal accidents on Belize's highways this weekend. The first happened on Saturday morning at about 9:30 on the Southern Highway near San Isidoro Village. 52 year old Antonio Mamin was knocked off his bicycle and died. 19 year old Victor Teul was driving the delivery truck that hit him. He says Mamin swerved in front of the truck, and he applied brakes but could not stop. The second fatality occurred last night just before 6:00 pm on the Northern Highway at mile 19 near Biscayne Village. 7NEWS was on the scene shortly after - and here's what happened.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
This is what police found: a pickup in the swamp showing front end damage and this Toyota Hilux, wrecked and rolled over. Lisborn Wade was one of the first
on the scene. He came to find his brother Wilson Wade on the ground.
Jules Vasquez,
How was he? How was your brother? He was right on the road here?
Lisborn Wade, Brother
"Right down there in the drain he was."
Jules Vasquez,
How was he when you came upon him?
Lisborn Wade,
"When I met my brother, he could move slightly and he could talk but he had a bust in his head which was bleeding. He had a bust in his head and he was bleeding."
Jules Vasquez,
Did he know what happened?
Lisborn Wade,
"Well I think he knew very well what happened because he even gave on e of my fiends the phone number to call my next brother who is in police. Because we had a funeral by Biscayne and that is where they were coming from."
Jules Vasquez,
So you all had just left, you are coming from your mom's funeral and you nearly died.
Lisborn Wade,
"You see and then if you go further this side now, the police drive, my brother who drives was to go with them. We met him here in a worse state. He was in more pain. He talked but slight."
His condition was serious. Gilbert Chun, a driver for special branch died a few hours later while receiving treatment at the KHMH. The men in the pickup were coming from the funeral for Pearl Wade in Biscayne Village. The Commissioner of Police was also at the funeral for Pearl Wade.
Gerald Westby,
"He was not a police constable but he has been with the Department at Special Branch for many many years and it was really sad. Myself had attended the funeral for Mr. Wade and I am really really sad that he died in the accident last night. It is sad that people are still reckless out there. We need to look at the safety tips which the police have given out for the Christmas."
The driver of the Ford pickup who is accused of causing the accident fled the scene. Police found him in crooked tree last night. He is Victor Gillett and he has been charged for ten counts including driving without due care and attention, Manslaughter by negligence and failed to stop and render aid.
