Accident on Western Highway leaves 3 tourists injured

On the way back from the murder scene in Spanish Lookout, the News Five team encountered an accident on the Western Highway that landed three tourists in the hospital. Two vehicles were involved, the first was a dump truck and the other was a van carrying eight tourists who were travelling from Belize City in the direction of Belmopan. According to the truck driver, Gilbert Domingo, when they neared the entrance of Jaguar Paw at mile thirty-seven, the driver of the van opted to make a left turn with no indication. That was when the truck, which was making its way pass the van, hit it on the left side. Though the drivers were not injured, several of the tourists suffered minor abrasions and were taken to the hospital. We spoke to Domingo on the scene and he gave us his side of the story.

Gilbert Domingo, Truck Driver
“I come over the hill, I saw the van in front. Basically, I know that the van dehn usually go into Jaguar Paw so what I did, I slow down and allow him to decide what he wanted to do. After a while I see no signal light, no brakes light; nothing. So at about maybe thirty miles an hour, I decided to pass, make a left and I put my signal on and proceed to pass. While getting upon him, that’s when he decided to turn and make a left and this is where we are.”

Marleni Cuellar
“So you hit him on what part of the van?”

Gilbert Domingo
“The front left, which was almost beside me.”

Marleni Cuellar
“And how he end up in the ditch?”

Gilbert Domingo
“Cause that’s where he got hit and out of control and then I end up over that side because I’m trying to avoid him and trying not to go in the drain.”

Marleni Cuellar
“Was there anybody hurt in it?”

Gilbert Domingo
“About five or six people, I understand, went to the hospital for minor scratches and scrapes and stuff. But other than that, nothing much.”

Marleni Cuellar
“So you’re claiming that they didn’t turn on their indicator and that is…”

Gilbert Domingo
“Nor by law, I understand that they should make a right first; pull of on the right then if they want to make a left then when the traffic is clear go left. None of that didn’t happen so that’s where we are.”