A Ranchito Resident Dies in Hit & Run in San Joaquin Village

Esteban Arana

In San Joaquin Village in Corozal District less than three hours later, a fifty-three-year-old resident of Ranchito was knocked down and killed by a motorist who failed to stop and render aid.  Esteban Arana is the latest victim of a hit and run incident in the north.  Earlier today, Dalila Ical travelled to Ranchito where she spoke with Arana’s sister. News Five’s Duane Moody narrates.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Ranchito Village resident Esteban Arana was hit by a vehicle as he walked towards his home on Wednesday evening, shortly after six o’clock. The fifty-three-year-old man was socializing in Joaquin Village with a friend, George Pol, who was among the last persons to see him alive.

Carmen Chulin

Carmen Chulin, Sister of Deceased [Translated]

“They called me around six thirty in the night and they told me someone had knocked down my brother and he was dead. so, we went to see him in Carolina, Calcutta and we found him dead on the road. The police were already there and people and we saw he was thrown in the middle of the road. The people are saying it was a red rodeo that stopped but the people began to shout at him and he left him there. He did not return to see if he was alive or help in any way. That is a cowardly act on behalf of that person because he was supposed to stay there.”

The driver of the vehicle, which has been described by witnesses as a red rodeo, fled the scene. Arana’s family pleads for help to locate him. They are offering a reward for information that can help locate the vehicle and the driver.

Carmen Chulin, Sister of Deceased

“The police told us that it appears that the vehicle was heading to Corozal but the people are saying no. a lot of people know but they are not telling the police and they do not know the truth but we think the vehicle was headed that way.”

Reporter

“…and the people who know what happened to Mr. Arana, what would you want to ask them?”

Carmen Chulin

“Well we ask the persons who may have seen what happened to please cooperate and tell the police who it was or if they recogize the vehicle, to say something. Do not stay quiet because just like it hppened to us it can hppend to them and if we could help them we would do it. We would not stay silent because he committed an injustice.”

Reporter

“You are offering a reward?”

Carmen Chulin

“We are offering a reward of two thousand dollars to anyone who knows where he is, but that they show us and take us to where the vehicle and the person are.  We will give them a two thousand dollar reward. We just want to know.”

Hilberto Romero

Police are also asking for the public’s assistance to find the person responsible.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“He had several injuries to the head and body. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.  Information revealed that he was walking on the highway when he was struck by a vehicle which fled from the scene. At the time it was raining and we are asking the public’s assistance to give us information if they know what vehicle hit this person.”

Duane Moody for News Five.