Accused hit and run driver denies charge

Hit and run accidents are committed with frightening frequency in Belize, but tonight one mother is refusing to let the driver who hurt her daughter get away with the crime.

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
?Why do you strongly believe that this is the person who hit your daughter??

Floreth Requena, Mother
?I don?t think that this person would come and give me a name right so. I no think she would come and say, Floreth, Miss Requena, this is the person that knocked down your baby, because yes it is a female like me, and maybe even a mother like me. I am saying that the police asked for the assistance of the public.?

It has been a year since seven year old Skylar Sanchez was knocked down by a hit and run driver. Today Skylar?s condition has significantly improved she does have difficulty with her mobility.

Requena says she had all but given up hope that the driver would be found but recently, unidentified informant has convinced Skylar?s family that the green pickup in question is from Gales Point Manatee.

Floreth Requena
?That is the only name I have. And yes the person was dark when he passed me on the highway. I said yes the person was a big colored guy, and that was the way I described him to the person, to the lady, and the lady said yes that is how he looks.?

Jacqueline Godwin
?And certain information this informant gave you lead you to believe that it can be no one else but this individual?

Floreth Requena
?Miss Jackie the only way I can say is check him out and find out. Check the background, and at least the police can follow up on it. That is the only name I got, so that is the only proof I have so far.?

The young mother says she gave the police the information but was told that the case is closed.

Floreth Requena
?They sent me to traffic. The traffic said to find Mr. Noble the person who is in charge of the case, so I went to Ladyville about three different times and I never saw him. I just left it like that. The other day, a couple months or weeks after the police came and said Miss Requena you can come for the child?s bike and that is when they told me that the case is closed.?

Jacqueline Godwin
?Did they say why??

Floreth Requena
?Because they haven?t arrested anybody in six months, nobody has been charged and nobody has come in with any evidence.?

Jacqueline Godwin
?But did you explain that you have gotten this information and you went to the police station within that timeframe??

Floreth Requena
?Yes I did, but believe me them police aren?t doing there job–like what they are suppose to do.?

Today News Five located the person and the vehicle accused of knocking down Skylar. But this afternoon Alan Myers maintains this is a case of mistaken identity.

Alan Myers, Resident, Gales Point Manatee
?No ? I no know nothing about the accident because if I knock down somebody positively I wah stop. My truck no licenses or insure for a long time and I haven?t gone anywhere. I go to the farm and right back home. I am a well known guy. I am a hard worker and I am farmer. I work everyday on my farm. So whoever gave her that information or whatsoever ? you know.?

As for Requena? She only wants justice for her daughter.

Floreth Requena
?She is doing much better than before. The only problem is with the side of her body. If she didn?t have that side you would never believe that it was a child that was in an accident. Yes she lost some of her memory. I would buy a book and so–for her to write home and she can?t a hundred percent, but she tries. Believe me she is a fighter.?