Weekend Accidents Claim One Life and Lands Several Others in Hospital
Separate road traffic accidents on the Phillip Goldson Highway have left one person dead and several others injured. A fatal accident on Saturday between Douglas and San Juan villages in the Orange Walk District claimed the life of a sixty-two-year-old farmer of Douglas. Initial Investigations reveal that Fermin Gonzalez was hit by a pickup driven by eighteen-year-old Eleodoro Osorio. According to Osorio, Gonzalez was on his bicycle swerving in the middle of the road and he could not avoid hitting the elderly man. The impact flung Gonzalez fifty feet away and to the pavement; he suffered a large cut wound at the back of his head and died on the spot. Meanwhile, at mile thirteen on the same highway, this time near the Boom Cutoff, there was a three-car pileup. Several persons received injuries and survived the collision. Rural Executive Officer, Inspector Frederick Gordon, spoke on the accident and the efforts to increase patrols on the highways to avoid incidences.
Frederick Gordon
Insp. Frederick Gordon, Rural Executive Officer, Police Department
“On Sunday the twenty-first of December at about six-twenty thereabout, Ladyville police received information of a road traffic accident by mile thirteen on the Phillip Goldson Highway where upon arrival by the police at the time, they noticed that it was three vehicles that were involved in a traffic accident: a grey car a Mitsubishi L-200 and a tracker, a red geo tracker.”
Duane Moody
“Investigation has shown what to be the cause of the accident?”
Insp. Frederick Gordon
“The police so far are investigating the accident. Statements have been recorded, medical forms issued and the specimen was taken from the driver.”
Reporter
“Were there any major injuries?”
Insp. Frederick Gordon
“Well not to that extent, but yes people received injured, but I wouldn’t say major or life-threatening. But yes we had a couple people that were injured from the vehicles involved yes.”
Duane Moody
“Sir, do you believe alcohol was involved in this?”
Insp. Frederick Gordon
“Yes, we would say yes because specimen was taken from the driver of the geo tracker as we suspect that it had contributed to the accident. We notice that especially on the highways—the Phillip Goldson Highway and the George Price Highway, we’ve seen an increase and we are stepping up on our vehicles and we’ll be seeing more traffic check. And my advice for drivers out there, if you want to enjoy yourself, find a designated driver. Being involved in an accident can cost your own life. And people out there want to enjoy themselves and under the alcohol, speed is not an issue. So we are advising to drivers to be careful. We know it is a festive season and I would say that at least fifty percent of the person out there involved in an accident maybe had a drink a two and we are trying to discourage that officers will be out and we will be taking people from behind the wheel when we think that you are not fit enough to be behind the wheel.”
