We all know about the perils of drinking and driving, but the truth is drinking adds danger to many other things - including swimming, especially swimming at night.
That danger was underscored on Tuesday night in Progresso village when 28 yr old Florencio Rodriguez Jr. jumped off the Pueblo Viejo ferry. Monica Bodden found out more:....
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"My son threw himself in the river and from there he just came up one time and say help then he went down again and he didn't come back up again."
Around 11:30 on Tuesday night, 28 year old Florencio Rodriguez jumped off this ferry - which is located about 10 miles away from Progresso Village where he lived.
That night he was along with his father and cousin.
Today his mother told us what she understand happened.
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"Like how he have AC in the car every time he comes from Corozal my son get out and he turn the ferry to cross the river. He told his cousin to take over the turning and he took off his clothes and then he throws himself in the river."
Rodriguez came up once and cried out for help. He then went back under water and never resurfaced back again 12 hours later - when his body was found washed up at the river bank.
Monica Bodden
"Who saw when he came up the first time and cried out for help?"
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"His cousin, because only two of them were at the back of the pickup and then he say that he saw him only come up one time and he say help and went back down again and did not come up."
Rodriguez's action that night - may have been triggered by alcohol- since it is believed he was intoxicated.
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"He was drinking some beers."
Monica Bodden
"You think that might have triggered him to jump in the water?"
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"That causes his death because if he was not drinking I don't think that he was going to do that."
Rodriguez leaves behind his wife and 3 children.
Naima Rodriguez, Mother
"Only he knows what come to him mind to throw himself in the river."
Rodriguez was the father of 3 children....
