Cyclist killed on Western Highway
kristopher chuc
A budding cyclist for the Cayo High Road Cycling Team lost his life in a tragic accident on the Western Highway. Seventeen year old Kristopher Chuc placed second in the eighty mile Junior Road Championships on July fourth and had a promising career ahead of him. But instead of celebrating his success, his family and cycling team are mourning his death after he was hit by a Geo Prism car near the Running W Meats factory. Chuc was struck from behind by the vehicle, driven by thirty-four year old mechanic, Miguel Henriquez, who has since been detained pending charges. News Five spoke via phone to the manager of the Cayo High Road team, Eduardo “Dito” Juan, about Chuc’s tragic accident.
Eduardo “Dito” Juan, Manager, Cayo High Road (via phone)
eduardo "dito" juan
“Yesterday about three-thirty he was out on the Western Highway training along with four other of his teammates. A black car crashed into him, killing him right on the spot.”
Delahnie Bain
“Was it a hit and run or did the persons stop and help him out?”
Eduardo “Dito” Juan
“It was a hit and run, he refused to render aid to the victim. It was some passing by people that picked him up and took him to the Loma Luz Hospital where, after about half an hour or forty-five minutes, he was pronounced dead. But it was like a hit and run, they just refused to render any assistance to him.”
Delahnie Bain
“And do you know if the person was speeding or they just weren’t paying attention?”
Eduardo “Dito” Juan
“From my experience and the way the bicycle was damaged, he was hit squarely in the back wheel and the impact from the vehicle—he was going maybe seventy, eighty miles an hour.”
Delahnie Bain
“And what kind of injuries did Kris sustain?”
Eduardo “Dito” Juan
“Oh my God, on his back he sustained terrible injuries. To his face and so, it still looks more intact but his helmet got broken. He didn’t get too much injuries on the head because he had a good helmet on. His back, oh my goodness, from his neck downwards, it was terrible, terrible.”
Delahnie Bain
“And none of the other riders were injured?”
Eduardo “Dito” Juan
“No, it was just luck and the blessing of God that the other riders didn’t get injured. Oh my God, they are really, really, taking it hard; all of us.”
Delahnie Bain
“Could you speak a bit about his—well, he was just starting out his career—could you tell about the type of cyclist he was?”
Eduardo “Dito” Juan
“He was a very aggressive cyclist, he was a go getter, a little bit hyper but very obedient and he would always listen to the management and to his teammates how they ride to be successful. He recently went with us to Guatemala City where he really, really, really, worked hard with his teammates so that we could be successful there.”
Wakes will be held tonight and Saturday at the home of Chuc’s grandmother in San Ignacio. Juan also invites cyclists from countrywide to attend the funeral service, which is set for Sunday morning at ten a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church.
Di you SEE the accident Dito Juan? Will you be witness to the court?
If no help was rendered, why did you not rush him to the hospital?
Is that the way you show care for your team?
You replied”From your experience and the way the bicycle was damaged”…EXPERIENCE?
Have you also knocked down a cyclist to say “MY EXPERIENCE”? to be sure about the speed?
Think, Dito Juan, think.. if you saw the accident , go give your report.
And why your other team members are so quiet Dito Juan?
Stop scandalizing Dito Juan, you also was in an accident in the past..remember? or you want this media to remind you?
Really sad a young soul gone too soon,may God grant him peace and rest.sleep on little one.my simphaty goes out to his family,you have done a well good job in brining up you child and God bless you.
Really sad a young soul gone too soon,may God grant him peace and rest.sleep on little one.my simphaty goes out to his family,you have done a well good job in brining up you child and God bless you.to the driver you cannt go too far so I’ll like to ask you to surrender .its another human been not a stray animal.would you like for someone to do that to your family member or to you .
this is really sad, it brought tears to my eyes, and at the same time I am so mad with some drivers, some people drive like if the road is for them, no repect, this man could have slow down when he saw the riders ahead, instead he killled Kris like an animal, and to make it worse left there to die, with out redering some kind of help, I just want justice for the death of this youngman, he was a good son and a fine young man. I hope the cycling association will now make sure there is some kind of security when these riders are on the road. That driver should be made to pay all of Kris funeral expenses.
Rest in peace Kris, condolences to the mother and siblings, and other family members and freinds of Kris.
So Sad to hear of such a hard working, respect young man losing his life by dangerous driving. If he was hit from behind there is no way this driver didn’t see him. He should be charged on so on driving offence, murder and for no stopping and rendering some assistance.
The first few minutes with such injuries are crucial and if he had stop and offer him some Basic Life support Kris could have been recovering right now. This driving is scum and no heart, how could you leave the scene having done this.
For the cyclist, we need to get you guys first aid trained. My sympathy with you guys, now keep going for Kris. My condolences to Kris’s family, I feel very sad about your lost.
omg..this is murder!!! the driver who killed him needs to be behind bars for the rest of his life!!
Fonsing, why are you being so hard on Dito? Sounds to me like you have a grievance against the man. Could you possibly use some of that negative energy and try to find the culprit that was so cold and heartless?? Or…… am i speaking to that individual??
My heartfelt condolences to Kris’ family.
A boy is dead mein. Lets focus on that, lets focus on the dangers of driving n riding on the highways not on anything else. God, hopefully that poor soul rests in peace. Cyclists please b careful n drivers keep your eyes open.
RIP
Fonsing is just another turd floating around looking to criticize people…
this man should be sentence to life in prison..!!!!!!!! R.I.P CHRIS…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fonsing, I think you are being unfair. Clearly you have never experience such a horrific accident. If you have, you will know that some people experience shock and so you do not react. I know what I am talking about. Therefore even if you are first aid trained you might just stand there. What I suggested that these guys train in groups of four to six and receive mandatory first aid training. You sound very spiteful and heartless.
These are the type of things I talk about that cruels Belize, and keep us back, and why we have to change. Lets focus on remembering one of Belize’s young promising respectful child that was cut down. Rest in Peace Kris.
MIZ CHINEY EYES are you a driver? first of all we know that the guy is dead. but lets not blame these drivers. i drive daily on that road to go to school and i must say that at times we the drivers have to risk our lives too because these gentlemens dont go on the side of the road but at times unexpectedly they want to over take and arent careful. if they want to ride let them have someone behind them in a vehicle or a motorcycle. it was dangerouse how in the world they ride in that dew weather and wet road? no one was out there so no one should justify. it is until a person is dead that OH EVERY ONE NEW HIM EVERY ONE WAS HIS FRIEND …. THAT ….. DITO JUAN SHOULD GET HIS BUT OUT THERE AND GO ALONG WITH THE GUYS WHEN THEY ARE ON TRAINING. COME ON EVERY DRIVER KNOWS HOW THEY HAVE TO BE BLOWING OFF WHEN THESE GUYS ON THE ROAD.
Sincere condolences, especially as this happened during the daylight hours.
Though try driving along the Western Highway at 4:30 a.m. between the cemetery and Cucumber Beach, lots of bikes without lights riding 2 or 3 wide, without reflectors, riders not wearing anything that will reflect lights, cars coming against you with only one headlight on full beam. It has happened before, it will happen again if the cyclist do not make themselves visible to the motorists. The cyclist pass the police check point who do absolutely nothing, could be because they don’t see them until it is too late. Cyclist, please be careful and obey the rules of the road, be safe, be seen
charles green 4:30 is bright enough for any driver to see clearly what is ahead, and leaving betweem esperanza and central farm is a straight road, everthing is visible ahead, this driver could have seen these drivers from far, either he was drinking or was occupied with a CELL phone.
The fact is that he killed the young man, and tried to run away!!!
It’s a very tragic situation, so so sad, it’s a pity somebody wasn’t being careful enough, be it the young cyclist or the driver.
Now I’m talking from a cyclist perspective, people of all walks of life have the right to choose their own lifestyle, and some choose to be cyclist, and i must say it is a lifestyle since u need to give up lots of things in order to be a cyclist, and am not even talking a cyclist who wins all the races.
Being out there on the road can be pretty challenging, u have early morning darkness, pot holes, broken bottles on the road, having to pull yourself up at 4 or 4:30 when the rest of the nation sleep but worst of all to have to deal with drivers who have no respect for you.
Lots of time they would shout at you and be rude, they don’t understand that we cant ride on the mean edge of the road, thats where all the broken pieces of bottles end up from the persons who were drinking the night before and threw their bottles out the window, and if we do we would be getting flat tires every so often and one piece of beer bottle can slice our tires so bad beyond repair, and tires can easily run $125.00 to replace. Secondly, the drive train and the wheels on the road naturally makes a humming noise so if a couple of us riding together the noise is even greater and we might not hear the coming vehicle until it’s upon us, especially if the wind is blowing in the other direction. A little courtesy goes a long way. May times we meet drives who seems so pissed that we are out on the road and feels that we are just out there to get in their way, and you can hear it in the way they blow their horns, and how close they pass you, what they don’t realize is that the wind draft from the vehicle can easily knock us clean off our bikes if we don’t brace for it when we feel the vehicle is going to pass us so close.
And yes we do have some cyclist who would go out there with ear buds trying to make their ride more pleasurable not realizing the danger they putting themselves into.
after all is said i think all we need is a lil more courtesy and respect for each others on the roads.
Charles Green, if what you say is true, then I totally agree with you about the cyclists doing more to stay safe. I am a visitor to San Ignacio from the U.S. (only here for a few days) and I found it very sad that a young man died this way. I actually saw the funeral proceeding to the cemetary and I saw the very sad look on Kris’s family and friends faces. Like you said, “it happened before and it will happen again if the cyclist do not make themselves visible to motorists.” Your local government should also find ways to do more. Motorists should be cautious too. I’ve seen vehicles driving at a high rate of speed past people walking by the side of the road (and that was in town). I know this is a developing country but there are things that can be done to keep your bright young athletes safe. I would like to someday read an article about what improvements or changes have been made as a result of this tragic accident. My condolences to Kris’s family.
Well Said and interesting read “Reds”. We need people like you to educate the motoring public and cyclist alike about road safety.
macal rivera – are you out and about at 4;40 a.m.? if so then you would find it very very dark, sunrise is around 5:30ish. Read what I said – ” especially as this happened during the daylight hours”, inexcusable for the cyclist not to be seen in the daytime – I am just so worried having to drive to work in Belmopan every day about the boys and girls training without being visible, one or two have a light, but the majority nothing
WHAT IN THE HELL WAS HE DOING ON THE ROAD WITH A TRICY? I HATE THOSE CYCLIST ON THE ROAD JUST SLOWING DOWN TRAFFIC WITH THEIR BIKES…. IF THEY DON’T WANT TO GET RUN OVER, BUILD A TRACK WHERE THEY CAN GIVE AS MUCH SPINS AS THEY LIKE, CLEARLY THESE DUDES DON’T HAVE A LIFE SO THEY JUST SLOW DOWN THOSE WHO DO AND HAVE TO BE ON THE ROAD TO GO TO THEIR JOBS.
The Truth: This why we struggle in sports with attitude like that we can only watch other countries successes and day-dream about our sportsmen and women. We may never ever live to see a Belizean on an olympic podium with our national anthem being played just because we Belizeans aren’t supportive of much. What makes you think you have more right to be on the roads than these cyclists. If we can only step out our damm comfort zone and take a look at other poor countries like us and see how they manage to get on the world stage. It’s their sportsmen and women that does it for them most of the time. Look at Jamaica Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell. Look at the African countries Bekele the ethopian runner, Look at the English football league many Africans players from the Congo, Nigeria, Ghana, and South American players from Brazil. These guys did not have stadiums to practice as youngsters, they practiced any where they could, in the streets, yards etc. But they had the support of their whole country. What you selfish narrow-minded people don’t realise is that once we get one or two world class sportsmen or woman the money they can demand would trickle down in to their community and the country. We may even get a proper stadium for others youngsters to develop and host commonwealth games etc. We as a people really have own our minds to possibilities. It doesn’t seems like Belize is a sporting country, but what we don’t realise is that this route can also influence our development. I wish the politicians would take note and support all sports.
@the truth it’s ignorant people such as yourself that put other pedestrians and cyclist in danger. Cyclist have as much right to use the road as you do to drive on it. The few seconds it takes to safely pass cyclists on the road – does it really slow you down that it makes you late to work? I bet not. It’s obvious you have some hatred for cyclist. These are young guys who are trying to live a healthy and fun lifestyle and maybe someday represent Belize abroad at bigger race but people like you is what keeps them away from that achievement!
Every person you see on a bike that you speed by is not a dog on the road but they are a somebody’s dad, brother, son, uncle, friend – a human being! Where have we lost our common sense of caring about another persons life?
I don’t know who “THE TRUTH” is but he or she will experience the reciprocal effect of their own hatefulness….your own road rage will come back to haunt you….I pray Jah’s mercy that you experience less than ten times as much pain as the family of the deceased.
hey iam a student that rides that bus everyday to attend ub and somtimes i notice that the cyclist take the road like if it theirs. police have to investigate this case very good….. and the mattter of fact was that it is an accident it was not intentional. may God bless this soul and also the driver…..
THE TRUTH……………… YOU ARE PATHETIC!!!!
After all our bla bla , we should think on bicycle lanes and pedestrian lanes and road maintenance.
Or you bet it will happen again and again and will will be here again and again bla blaying.Can`t we see that we need better roads?
Blessed is the road builder that does a good job for his country.
May the Almighty and Eternal God accept Kris Soul in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, may it be truly so.
rest in peace dwag we love u
I guess you all should see the broken wind shield. it seem as the boy was going to over take the other drivers. if he was driving on his side then how in the world did he ended up breaking the windshield of the drivers side. i agree with the truth. these guys like to get in the middle of the roads. why not they start riding on back road. Also people said oh they knew the guy whatever when they left to GUatemala no one even bother about them. so stop acting like you were ever interested.
Th driver is not a criminal and i believe that he should be out. if criminals kill to kill an be out why then they hyrry jailed a guy that happened to be an accident. THE GUY NEVER WANTED TO RUN AWAY. HE STOPPED ON THE SIDE. I TRAVEL THAT ROAD AND I KNOW. YESTERDAY THEY WERE THREE BIKERS ON THE ROAD. NO LIGHTS ON THE BIKE, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET KNOWING VEHICLES PASS THERE EVERYTIME. AND FOR THE GUY WITH THE LIGHTS DRIVE THAT ROAD AT FOUR AND TELL ME IF YOU CAN SEE FROM A DISTANCE.
ITS DESTINY WE ALL COME WITH IT.
To all the dumb-…….. that keep talking …. about getting the riders off the road. Are you all the ignorant and stupid. A cyclist has just as much rights on the road as you do doing your dumb-… driving. Read your manual of the road idiots. I swear people like this should not get licenses to be on the road.
They need to train on the roads that they will race on idiots. How else do you think they will be ready for winning? Why don’t you take a step outside of yourselves, listen to how dumb you all sound and then realize that if you would wake your happy lazy …… up on time you would not need to be rushing around like animals on the road.
@ Cindy, were you there to see that the guys stopped? If yes, why did you or the driver not rush the kid to the nearest hospital. If your line is true then you are just as guilty as the driver for this kid not being here anymore.
See these are the kind of ignorant things and people that is keeping Belize from progressing in a positive way. Stop all the bs and try to be positive members of society. If you see a cyclist on the road, don’t get your panties all in a bunch, wait for an opportunity, honk to let them know you are there and then over take carefully. It’s as simple as that.
No-one needs to have to ride with the cyclists, ever motorist should be exercising caution on the road. The only reason you all are ……… is because it’s not one of your kids that is in the situation or a cyclist at risk of being killed by dumb-,,, driver like yourself.
So you all can take your ignorant …….. selves somewhere else or learn to be better and more considerate drives. Dumb-…….
To the family of Chris, my condolences and may he rest in peace. To the team, do what you do and make a name for Chris’ memory.
Also.. To Mr Juan.
Keep up the good work that you do working with the youths involved in the team and keeping them off the streets and killing people or commuting other crimes. Nobody’s perfect and cannot be everywhere at once. DO not listen to these idiots that only speak and make noise because they can.
Much love and respect.
Kris we love and miss u very much!! It was the hardest thing to say good bye!!
And to all those ignorant people!!!……U have no idea wat it feels like to be in our family’s shoes….and i wont say nothing to you….one day u will knw wat it feels like
Wish i could see u agen Kris!
RIP
we love and miss u wa lat cuz!!!!!!!!!!!!
and i kant belive uno wa seh dat my cuz u nuh knw wat we d go trough
RIP CUZ I RLLY RLLY RLLY WISH WE KUD SEE U AGAIN
LOVE U
we shurely miaa you kris babe i nver will forget u we haad gr8 plans..R.I.P HONEE
OK PEOPLE THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BOY WILL BE SADLY MISSED O.K!!!!!!!!!! SO STOP SAYING STUPIDNESS…….. I SAY THAT IT WAS THE DRIVERS FAULT OK…….. AND CINDY IF U HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY LIKE GIVING CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY THEN SHET T HE HELL UP!!!!!!!!!!!! OK
R.I.P CHRIS!!!