Teenager Killed in RTA in Belize City
There was a fatal road traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway in front of New Horizon Apartments on Tuesday evening. It is believed that a motorcyclist who was travelling towards Ladyville crashed into a dump truck that was parked on the side of the road after running out of diesel. The impact of the collision flung Jorge Welderman Max to the pavement and his death. The driver of the truck was not in the vicinity when the incident occurred, so who is culpable? Police are investigating. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Eighteen-year-old Jorge Welderman Max, a resident of Ladyville, lost his life on Tuesday night during a road traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. He was travelling on a motorcycle heading home when it is believed that he crashed into a dump truck that ran out of diesel and was parked on the side of the road. The driver of the vehicle, fifty-three-year-old Erick Ortiz, says he was transporting garbage from Belize City to Ladyville when he ran out of fuel.
Erick Ortiz
Erick Ortiz, Driver of Volvo Dump Truck
“I get some material, garbage from ITVET. So I’m coming from ITVET to this side because we get it from ITVET to Medina’s yard; we throw the garbage right there. I left the truck about six-something; I have the picture when I sent to my boss. I tell him I am leaving the truck because it run out of diesel, shet down. I try pull out as much closest to the side; I neva left it right to the middle. And the place where it was, they have a lamp. Everybody could see; it was a big truck, dah noh small thing. After that I ketch the bus, I came to Ladyville to find out what exactly we ah do with the boss. And then we come and I meet my boss, I gone get the other truck cause it broke down also. So two things di happen. So when we get the diesel, hundred dollars with diesel, and turn back to the place where the truck was, so we find out this accident.”
Ortiz returned to find the area cordoned off by police and that a teenager had perished at the scene.
Erick Ortiz
“As far as we could see, many vehicles so the traffic was too tight. We stop and find out what’s happening. I see the guy, I take ih picture. I come out and tell boss weh di happen. So we found out a lee bwai. I feel sorry for the family because he die already. I have a son, seventeen years now so I feel really sorry for them.”
Social media has been buzzing with opinions on who is culpable in this case. Was it the driver of the dump truck because the truck was parked without hazard lights on or cones placed in the area? Or was it driving without due care and attention on the part of the deceased? What is known is that the area was lit, based on the images taken, and the truck was parked on the highway. Also, an inspection shows that the motorcycle did not crash head-on into the rear of the truck and that its damages were to the right rear portion of the motorcycle. Police are investigating what could have led to the fatality. Ortiz shares what he believes may have happened.
Erick Ortiz
“According to how we see the motorcycle was, it look like somebody knock him from behind. He take a hard brake before the truck and turn into the left, according to how we see it. We are drivers, so try figure out what dah the problem. If he crash to the truck, definitely yow ah see the stamp on the truck. I noh know other words to say that.”
Duane Moody
“So he didn’t crash into the truck?”
Erick Ortiz
“He doesn’t. He doesn’t crash into the truck. And the other way you could find out or realise exactly what happened, Caribbean Tires has a camera outside that they could see. They tell me if I needed video, I could get the video right there. They could see what exactly was happening to the lee boy.”
Reporter
“And you know if police have approached them as yet for the video?”
Erick Ortiz
“I have no idea because my boss tell me I have to work.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
