58-year-old Edwin Hill - who most know as the Prime Minister's driver - faces the possibility of criminal charges tonight after he knocked down and killed a man last night on the Philip Goldson Highway. The victim, who has still not been identified, was reportedly riding his bicycle when he was hit, and bled out on the highway pavement before eventually dying at the hospital.
Meanwhile, the police are investigating to see what charges - if any - will be levied on Hill.
But while they investigate he is still the driver for the most powerful man in the land - so the question is, will he be afforded special treatment? That's what we asked the commissioner of police today:
The Prime Minister's driver, 58-year-old Edwin Hill knocked down and killed a man here, on the Philip Goldson Highway last night just before 8:00.
Presently the body is still considered a John Doe - and persons we spoke to in the area said they had seen him about but he's not from the area and they don't know his name.
Hill was driving his personal vehicle - a blue GMC Acadia - and told police that it was John Doe who had swerved into his lane.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Mr Edwin Hill was driving his private motor vehicle from the direction of Belize City to Orange Walk Town when reaching between mile 24 and 25 on the Philip Goldson Highway, he knocked down a cyclist who was riding in front of him and suddenly swerved in the path of his oncoming vehicle. Due to the fact that other vehicles were coming in the opposite direction, he attempted to swerve away, but could not have successfully done so due to the oncoming traffic. The cyclist was hit and transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Mr Hill was taken to the Ladyville police station where he made a report and cooperated fully with investigators so basically investigators are putting together a file, recording statements from witnesses and we will be sending the file to the DPP for her determination in the matter."
Courtney Menzies:
"In the meantime will Mr Hill's license be suspended?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The police have no authority to spend a person's license, that is only done by the court."
And after Hill made his report, he was served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution and was free to go while the investigation continues.
And while this is the norm in these types of incidents, the question remains whether Hill will receive special treatment due to his position.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"If you have to follow cynicism or criticism or persons who have their perception, you're never going to make headway in life, that's just the nature of what it is and certainly I believe that you media personalities have the record to show that in these types of cases, we would normally not arrest somebody right away or else there is clear indication that the driver is at fault or situations where the driver would refuse to corporate by giving blood or urine sample to test if they are under the influence. Normally, we just give NIP and send the driver home, when the investigation is over, it goes to the DPP for her determination. Yes there is going to be those who will say it's because it's the prime minister's driver, but I will just invite them to look at the history, to look to see how we have dealt with situations like these in the past and they will see that no special treatments have been given to Mr Hill due to the fact that he is the prime minister's driver."
According to a police report, Hill provided a urine sample to the police.
Notably, back in 2019, Hill had gotten in another major accident, that time with then-opposition leader, John Briceno, in the passenger seat. Briceno's SUV had flipped several times at Mile 37 on the same highway, but neither he nor Hill sustained major injury.
