Woman jumps from moving truck

An Orange Walk resident is in the hospital tonight in critical condition after she jumped from a moving vehicle, apparently in an effort to get away from police. Reports are that members of the Belize Defense Force and police were on patrol in Santa Cruz, Orange Walk about 5:30 Wednesday afternoon, when they saw a woman jump from a moving Toyota pickup traveling in the opposite direction. One vehicle went to render aid to the woman while the other stopped the truck. The woman has been identified as 34-year old Gladys Merlos, a Guatemalan living in Orange Walk Town. As a result of her jump, Merlos remains in critical condition at the Orange Walk Hospital, suffering from skull fractures and internal bleeding. Inside the Toyota, police recovered 6 sacks of contraband rice and 3 cases of 1-2-3 Cooking oil. Police say the matter has been handed over to the Customs Department. News Five understands that the 3 men found inside the pickup truck told police they were giving Merlos a ride and that the contraband items are hers.