A driver had to crash into a ditch to avoid what could have been a fatal collision today. It happened at mile 45 on the George Price Highway where FFB General Secretary Earl Jones was heading to Belmopan, when a driver coming in the opposite direction swerved into his lane. The oncoming driver says he did so to avoid a group of cyclists. That forced Jones to take bush as they say - except he ended up upside down in a deep ditch on the roadside.
One of the cyclists was Wasani Castro and we spoke to him, and victim Earl Jones:
Wasani Castro, Cyclist
"We were riding on the Phillip Goldson highway and a vehicle was coming behind us and they blew their horn, but instead of waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass, they tried to overtake us and the oncoming traffic had o swerve off the road, because they didn't have nowhere else to go and we slowed down immediately and tried to help the guy out of the vehicle. He was already out. By the grace of God, he was safe."
Jules Vasquez
"You said you were behind the cyclists and what did you see? So they were taking up the road and you break and swerve out so that you didn't hit them and then they came in your lane Mr. Jones."
Earl Jones, Crash Victim
"To avoid a head-on accident, I decide to go off to clear."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you okay?"
Earl Jones, Crash Victim
"Shaken up a little, but glad to be alive."
Jules Vasquez
"You are on this road every day, you work at FFB. Is this the first time something like this happen?"
Earl Jones, Crash Victim
"First time. To avoid a head-on accident. I had to make a decision to go off."
Jules Vasquez
"You had on seatbelt?"
Earl Jones, Crash Victim
"Yes. That's what helped me."
Jones was taken to the Western Regional Hospital where he was checked out, and cleared for release without injury.
