This morning, the Western Highway again proved how dangerous it can be. Two trucks – one light, one heavy, were cast off the highway in different directions after what appeared to be a near miss. Jacqueline Godwin went to find out what happened.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
When 7News got to the scene, the four door Toyota Tundra was lying right side up in a pool of water off the right hand side of the Western Highway. Because the roof of the vehicle’s cab was not damaged, it is believed that the pickup truck did not flip as it went off the embankment. The debris of tire rubber left scattered over a wide section of the road came from the other vehicle involved in the accident.
You have to look to see the dump truck that went off the left hand side of the road. The driver lost control and as can be seen by the marks left on the highway skidded off the left hand side of road, and ploughed through bushes before it was stopped by thick mangroves and swampy water.
None of the drivers involved in the accident that occurred between miles 10 and 11 would talk to us about what happened out here but all indications are that one of them is responsible for causing both vehicles to run off the highway.
Although the drivers did not want to speak to us the driver of the pickup identified
as thirty four year old Bryan Mena did not look like he received any injuries nor did the driver of the dump truck identified as thirty year old Jason Staine. But according to the Hattieville Substation’s lead investigator Police Constable Hersel Garcia at this time the accident remains under investigation and they cannot say who is responsible.
PC Hersel Garcia, Lead Investigator - Hattieville Police
“The investigation is still ongoing at this present moment. It is young still and I don’t want to reveal anything and interrupt this case.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
But somebody is at fault here.
PC Hersel Garcia,
“Definitely somebody is at fault and I’ll leave it at that.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Were both vehicles travelling in the same direction?
PC Hersel Garcia,
“The dump truck was travelling from Belize City heading towards Hattieville
area and the brown pickup was travelling from Belmopan direction heading towards Belize City.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
So they were travelling in opposite directions?
PC Hersel Garcia,
“Definitely.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And at some point between mile 10 and 11 they made contact.
PC Hersel Garcia,
“Yep at mile 11 they made contact.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And whatever caused them to collide or crash into each other, you’re saying it is still under investigation although the police have already received statements from both individuals involved?
PC Hersel Garcia,
“No we have not received anything yet from the driver of the dump truck.”
The four door Toyota pickup truck received most of its damage to the rear of the vehicle.
Jacqueline Godwin,
Do we know if speeding is involved?
PC Hersel Garcia,
“Well at this present moment I can’t tell but like what I said the investigation is still going on.”
When we visited police, only Mena had given a statement and they were still waiting for Staine’s account of what happened. Jacqueline Godwin reporting for 7News.
As per procedure, both drivers were served with notices of intended prosecution.
