Two dead in separate vehicle knockdowns

Two cyclists are dead tonight after they were knocked down in separate traffic incidents in Belize City. The first tragedy occurred at the Vernon Street and Magazine Road junction on Friday afternoon and claimed the life of forty-two year old security guard, Nicholas Lewis. Nineteen year old Fabiola Mendez told police that at around 3 o’clock that afternoon, she was driving a Chevy Blazer on Vernon Street when she knocked down Lewis, who was on a bicycle. Lewis was pronounced dead on arrival at the K.H.M.H. Mendez will answer to charges of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s permit.

The second death occurred the next day at mile four on the Northern Highway and claimed the life of fifty-three year old Gerald Neal. Thirty-nine year old Stephen Burgess reported to police that at around 8:30 Saturday morning, he was heading towards Belize City when he observed a bicycle rider swerving across the road. Unable to stop in time, Burgess knocked down Neal, who later died at the K.H.M.H. Police have not yet filed any charges in connection with this incident and their investigations continue.