Tonight, the Belize Defence Force is mourning one of its own after one of their most highly trained soldiers lost his life in a road traffic incident yesterday, just after 5pm.
But 45-year-old Victor Martin wasn't just a soldier, he was a family man who had a love for motorbikes and physical fitness, a man whose death is considered a great loss to the country - by many we spoke to in law enforcement.
And today, Courtney Menzies found out more about him from his sister, fellow biker, and fellow soldier. Here's that story.
Anna Bennett Jorgensen, Sister
"He was a very brave Belizean. I am very proud of him, and proud to call him my brother."
A BDF soldier, a biker, a brother - 45-year-old Victor Martin was many things and he gave each of his responsibilities the dedication it warranted. He had just clocked out at Price Barracks on Tuesday evening, jumped on his Kawasaki Ninja - his prized possession - and headed to Cayo on a routine delivery mission when he was involved in a tragic traffic accident.
Initial reports say that the driver of a Mazda pickup truck, 40-year-old Arlie Ayala, was going in the opposite direction and between miles 44 and 45, she took a sudden left turn to go into Mall Gas Station, and that's when she collided head on into Martin.
But everyone who knows Martin and his love for bikes, knew that he also loved life and guarded his while on the road. That's why the accident shocked his family.
Anna Bennett Jorgensen, Sister
"I was shocked, but I wasn't, because I didn't expect it. I know that he's a biker, that's something that he really and truly loves but he's very very careful, he's cautious when he's on the road, you know with these ninja bikes, they are fast, but he is very careful, he's not a careless driver. He has never ever been in an accident, this is his first accident in his 45 years that he has been in."
And in those 45 years of life, Martin has had many accomplishments. He had a love for his country and a need to help others, instilled in him by his mother, which led him to join the BDF.
Anna Bennett Jorgensen, Sister
"He was a scout with the St Joseph scout troop, he was so dedicated that he was taken with a team to Washington to represent the country. And thereafter, he was a volunteer fireman, he decided he didn't want that, he went to the BDF volunteer and I guess that's where he fell in love with the army and thereafter he transferred over to the regular force and he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant until his passing yesterday. He was therapist, he was a PTI in the BDF, he was part of a team leader in the BSAG for the BDF, he has always been in the jungles."
And while the BDF was his first love, biking was his second. His sister said that she didn't like the idea at first, but quickly realized that Martin would relentlessly pursue anything that he wanted to do.
Anna Bennett Jorgensen, Sister
"Jokingly I said to him take out a life insurance but make sure you put the beneficiary as mom because she is our rock. Then you save the money for funeral, all of it, nothing less than $10,00 I said to him then you can go ahead and buy the bike. And he laughed at me but he laughed and I didn't realized that he had already acquired the bike. But that's my brother. When he sets his mind to do something, he will do it."
And he loved motorbikes so much, he joined a club back in 2017. The president of the Easy Rider Motor Club told us that their members are mourning the loss of their brother.
Voice of: Rene Reyes, President, Easy Riders Motor Club
"I was the first one to know, it was very heartfelt because Victory was with us in the club since 2017 and was a very faithful member of the Easy Rider Motorcycle Club and all of us really take it hard because he was with other members this past weekend repairing his bike so it was a really shock."
"Most of us didn't believe it because Victor is always protective and cautious on the road and always giving us advice and he was a guy that never had any vices while on the road."
"What he loved about biking was the wind therapy, the wind therapy was something he always used to tell us if you're stressed out, if you have a bad day, that could release your stress, release your soul."
Reyes said that Martin would travel all the way to PG for that wind therapy. But he always came back home to his family. And while he had no children of his home, he took care of those closest to him.
Anna Bennett Jorgensen, Sister
"When Christmas comes, you will see him coming with a big green bag on his shoulder and he would come and dish out all the gifts he has been buying over a period of time for everybody and when birthday he's there to support us and everything."
"We have heavy hearts but I know he has lived his life, he was happy, and so we will have to accept, well I as the stronger of all my other siblings has accepted what has happened already and so God will provide for us because we are a god fearing family so we will make it through."
40-year-old Arlie Ayala was charged with Manslaughter by Negligence, Causing Death by careless conduct, Drove Motor vehicle without Due Care and Attention, and Failing to give way when changing direction.
