“It was an accident, plain and simple” – that’s what police are saying about the death of well known businessman Sunil Sadarangani, better known as Doony – the namesake of the superstore in downtown Belize City. 7NEWS has been on the story since morning and here’s what Jacqueline Godwin found out.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Sometime between one thirty and two this morning Sunil Sadarangani’s Toyota Prado ran off the road and plunged into this man made lake in Los Lagos. 34 year old Sadarangani was trapped inside the driver’s seat. It is not known if the young businessman who was the owner of Doony’s Store in the city went unconscious or if he was trapped inside, but reports are that Sadarangani was underwater for at least fifteen minutes before anyone could get him out.
Insp. Calbert Flowers, Ladyville Police
“Shortly after the incident happened, some neighbors went out and they were the ones who were trying to do some CPR on him but he was unconscious. From the time they got him out the vehicle he was unconscious.”
When 7NEWS arrived on the scene some seven hours later, the body had been taken away but the SUV was still completely submerged in the lake about forty feet away from the waters edge. A crane had to be used to haul the vehicle out of the water and because it was filled with water, the SUV was heavy and unwieldy.
When the vehicle was pulled out of the water the side glass from the driver’s window was missing and rescuers are believed to have taken the body out from there. Police say there were no visible signs of injuries on the body and their investigation suggests that it was a tragic accident.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do the police suspect foul play?
Insp. Calbert Flowers,
“No, at this time we do not suspect any foul play.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Why do the police do not suspect foul play?
Insp. Calbert Flowers,
“There is nothing to indicate that there is foul play. We believe that he just lost control of his vehicle and went in the lake.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do we know what Mr. Sadarangani was doing in Los Lagos?
Insp. Calbert Flowers,
“From what we gathered, he was visiting some friends in Los Lagos. We received information he was indeed coming from Corozal and stopped off in Los Lagos. How long he stayed in Los Lagos? We cannot ascertain at this time. We cannot say exactly what caused him to lose control.
Our initial investigation reveals that the car was going at a high speed. But what caused him to lose control, we don’t know. As far as we know he is very familiar with the area, with the streets and he knows exactly where the lake was so we cannot say what went wrong.
We are dealing with it as a traffic accident and as a drowning but the investigation is still young and it is still open.”
The police say they are not certain at this time if alcohol may have contributed to the tragedy.
Insp. Calbert Flowers,
“It is difficult to say at this time. We will be recording some statements from people who he was hanging out with just before the incident and they will be able to assist us with that.”
Information is that earlier that day Sadarangani was up north in the Free Zone doing business. Inside the vehicle police found inside personal items including the victim’s money and firearm.
Insp. Calbert Flowers,
“His family members retrieved the items and nothing is missing so far.”
Ashok Chugani, Owner Brilliance Fashion Center
“Well a loss this severe, it is a very great loss to us and right now to give a time frame it is very hard but it will definitely be in our minds. May his soul rest in peace and to his family I am very very sorry to hear about it.”
Sunil Sadarangani was known as an enterprising young businessman with stores in Belize City and the Corozal Free Zone. He will surely be missed.
Ashok Chugani,
“Very caring, very professional, very up to date like. He was professional in other words, very caring and understanding. He’d spend the time to understand you and he won’t just give a decision off hand, he will try to understand and everything. He was a nice person.”
At the time of the accident it is believed Sunil Sadarangani was alone inside the SUV. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
It is notable that no skid marks were visible on the street leading to and bordering the pond. Sadarangani was expecting his first child and we are advised that his wife is returning from India.
