One man dies in Western Highway accident

An accident at mile thirty-two on the Northern Highway on Thursday night has claimed the life of an Orange Walk man. Around ten-thirty p.m., a green Toyota van and a black Isuzu Rodeo collided into each other. Thirty-nine year old Elias Cocom, the driver of the Isuzu, died on the spot. Initial investigations reveal that the van driven by forty year old Hedras Larios was heading towards Belize City with eight passengers. According to Larios, around mile thirty-two he saw the S.U.V., coming from the opposite direction towards him at top speed with its headlights on full beam. Larios claims the Rodeo swerved to the left side of the road, collided into his van, and then flipped five times before coming to a stop in a nearby ditch. Cocom and a passenger, whose name is not known, were trapped. Both victims were taken out of the vehicle by persons on scene. While Cocom died on the spot, his passenger was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital for treatment. The occupants of the Toyota van did not suffer any injuries.