Fatal RTA in Belmopan; Edwin Valdes is Knocked Down & Killed

Edwin Valdes

Around five o’clock on Wednesday evening, there was a fatal road traffic accident on the Hummingbird Highway near to Yim Sam Hotel in Belmopan. Thirty-two-year-old Guatemalan national Edwin Valdes of Camalote Village was knocked down off his bicycle by a Dodge Ram pickup truck on Wednesday evening. Twenty-year-old Joseph Penner was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck Valdes. The impact of the collision flung Valdes from his bike onto the pavement. He received severe head and body injuries and died minutes later. Police told us more.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“A black and white dodge pickup was seen on the right hand side of the highway which was south bound, while a little bit in front of the vehicle, a Hispanic male was seen on the road with apparent head and body injuries. From the police investigation, we learnt that the deceased was riding his bicycle in a northerly direction; however traffic was congested due to work being done of Roaring Creek Bridge. As a result, he swerved across the highway in order to go to the other side which resulted in him being knocked down.”

Penner was charged late this evening with causing death by careless conduct and driving without due care and attention.