Belize City Man Perishes in RTA

John Bennett

A Belize City man was one of two persons who lost his life on Sunday evening in traffic fatalities.  Thirty-eight-year-old John Bennett was on his motorcycle en route to Belize City when he reportedly crashed head-on into oncoming traffic on the George Price Highway.  The motorcycle, we are told, was extensively damaged and Bennett was flung to the side of the highway, killing him instantly. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

A horrific road traffic accident on Sunday evening took place between miles six and seven of the George Price Highway. Thirty-eight-year-old John Bennett- a resident of Lakeview Street in Belize City laid lifeless on the scene.

Alejandro Cowo

ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City

“He was seen with multiple injuries to his body and also beside him was a red in color motorcycle, extensively damage. Also on the middle of the highway police also observed a vehicle.”

John was on a red motorcycle traveling to Belize City.

ASP Alejandro Cowo

“What we suspect or the information that we receive is that Mr. Bennett was driving his motorcycle to Belize City and he was attempting to overtake a vehicle right between miles six and seven when he collided into a vehicle that was traveling towards Belmopan’s direction.”

The driver of the vehicle was served with a notice of intended prosecution and specimens were obtained. Today John’s father, Winston Bennett, says the last time he saw his son was at around eleven o’clock on that day. Bennett left en route to relative’s home in the Eight Miles community. He was returning home but the only thing that made it was the unfortunate news. In tears, Winston spoke to News Five.

Winston Bennett

Winston Bennett, Father of Deceased

“I was here and all I can recall is that one of my neighbors up the road came and called my wife and told her that the boy caught in an accident. I still could not believe it. I bring my two daughters and they went to the hospital and they saw it. They came in and the oldest girl came and hug me up and said “John gone’. I still did not believe it. I couldn’t believe it… When my little granddaughter took out the phone and brought the graphics I turned my face. It was cruel. I don’t know what happened but those bikes and things. My advice to those kids is that those bikes are like devil riding a horse if you don’t know how to maintain them. I don’t see it but according to them the motorcycle split in two so imagine the hit that he got. It is sad and we have to live with it.”

According to Winston, John was a careful driver.

Winston Bennett

“He would drop me by the bank and drop me back. He would have drive carefully.  I can’t give an account when he is by himself. I don’t have anything against the driver. I have faith. I don’t knock out. The driver, I no have any problem with him. He has done gwan. He can’t come back.”

Bennett leaves behind three children. Hipolito Novelo, News Five.