An 18 year old American national died in an accident this weekend in Stann Creek. On Saturday morning Devin Merrell and his friend were on two separate motorcycles heading out of the Bocawena junction when Merrell collided into an oncoming flatbed truck. It is a devastating end for the 18 year old Merrell who was on vacation with his friends. Courtney Weatherburne has more details.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Camping, hiking and zip lining - these are just a few options for fun activities at the Mayflower Bocawena National Park.
But they are best known for their 6 waterfalls especially the 1000 foot.
18 year old American National Devin Merrell who is seen on his Facebook page being adventurous, apparently wasn't interested in an outdoor experience when he and his friend pulled up at the entrance on Saturday morning.
Ramon Guzman, Warden
"Between 10:00 and 11:00, they come in here and stop by the gate, well my job is to go and collect the money and I went to ask them well you have to come in and pay if you want to see the site and they said they are not going to stay, they only come and turn right back again, right by the gate."
The information is that Merrell and his friend turned back because they were just site seeing and had no plans to stop in anywhere.
They rented two separate motorbikes from Emma's in Hopkins earlier that morning to go on their personal tour.
But that trip ended in tragedy at the Bocawena junction. Merrell turned unto the highway and Collided with this oncoming white truck.
Merrell was flung from his bike, and died on the spot. The motorcycle - now a mangled pile of metal - lay in the Silk Grass Police Station compound.
Ramon Guzman, Warden
"When we get to the junction, well the crowd was already there, all the policeman were there so they tell us you can't take no pictures because the police is taking pictures of the guys."
Merrell was on vacation with friends who declined on camera comment, but one of them told us the 18 year old will be remembered for his free and adventurous spirit, captured her win this diving photo taken last month in Belize.
The driver of the truck, Orange Walk resident Abraham Friescen will be served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Information is that Merrell's family owns property in Hopkins and they travel to Belize regularly. Merrell's family and friends are working on taking their loved one back home to the US for burial. the post mortem was conducted today Important to note, the manager of Emma's motorbike rental told us that anyone renting a motorbike, must have a valid motorcycle license in order to make the rental. He told us that Merrell had a motorcycle license.
