Deputy ComPol arraigned for the manslaughter of Yolanda Valencia

In Succotz this morning, heated protestors set fire to used rubber tires along the George Price Highway.  The blockade was the result of residents demanding justice in the case of Yolanda Valencia who perished in a traffic accident which left twenty-eight-year-old Yanie Cu clinging to life at the KHMH.  The tragedy involved an intoxicated Deputy Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura, whose vehicle collided head-on into a cab driven at the time by Cu.  Today, residents gathered by the dozens, placards in hand against the backdrop of burning debris, demanding that justice be served.  This afternoon in the Belmopan Magistrates Court, Deputy Commissioner Miguel Segura, in the presence of Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold, was formally read six charges by Magistrate Aretha Ford.  They include manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, drove motor vehicle without due care and attention, driving with alcohol concentration above prescribed limit, negligent grievous harm and failing to alter direction to give way.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano was in the west today and has the following story.

In the aftermath of a fatal road traffic accident involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura on Saturday morning, residents of Succotz are still very much incensed.  The forty-eight-year-old senior officer, analysis would later prove, was driving his government-issued vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

ACP Aaron Guzman, Western Zone Commander

ACP Aaron Guzman

“Everybody has his or her constitutional rights, if it is there is a traffic accident; there is a process that we go through. There are some people suggesting that the alcohol test could have been done by the breathalyzer that is not yet legal in Belize, we do not go by that that is why blood was extracted and it was taken to the lab. There is a process that is done at the lab to test the content of the alcohol. It is I can say to you above the legally prescribed limit. What will happen now is Mr. Arzu has prepared those charges for the blood alcohol content. Where it pertains to the traffic accident, we sought the advice of the office of the D.P.P. We have now been given the legal advice from the off of the D.P.P. So charges are being prepared, so as not to be accused of doing the wrong thing, we have prepared those charges and we are asking the office of the D.P.P. to proofread the charge to see that we have the correct sections etcetera. As soon as that is done the justice of the peace will sign it, Mr. Arzu the arresting officer will sign, Mr. Segura will be charged at the station, that’s his constitutional rights.”

Although the circumstances surrounding the deadly collision are still being investigated by his colleagues in the department, Segura was this afternoon arraigned on six traffic offences, including manslaughter by negligence.  His indictment, however, succeeded the unrest outside of Benque Viejo this morning where scores of angry villagers blocked the highway with burning tires and debris.  Jose Lopez is part of the mob.

Jose Lopez

Jose Lopez, Resident of Succotz Village

“We have to stand and fight because justice is not given in Belize. We will make justice exist in Succotz, you see people like Yannie Cu he is fighting there to try to get a surgery and police are coming accosting him making him sign to be guilty. What you think about that, that isn’t fair.”

Isani Cayetano

“How long are you guys prepared to stand put here and prepare to protest to demand that the proper procedures be followed?”

Jose Lopez

“Well according to the people here all day. You would see we want justice. Everybody is saying we want justice, and what is justice for the police, nothing.”

Shortly after dawn, a scattering of men and women decided on obstructing the main thoroughfare into the village.  The police would later respond to the scene of the fire and dozens more would converge on the location during the course of the day.  Ordinarily, the combination of law enforcement officers, as well as a riot squad on standby, and livid protestors makes for a volatile situation.  In spite of this, today would not end in violence.  All they demanded was that ACP Segura be charged and made to face the music.

ASP Daniel Arzu

ASP Daniel Arzu, Lead Investigator

“I have prepared my charges I have served Mr. Segura with five copies of the traffic related offenses ranging from manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, negligent grievous harm, driving without due care and attention and driving with alcohol concentration. Now you all need to work with me because I need to have Mr. Segura arraigned here this morning and I need to access the road so that he can reach to the courtroom. The charges are here and it is signed by a Justice of the Peace. This is an original signature. Thank you.”

Isani Cayetano

“Beyond the acrid plume are dozens of angry residents who are demanding justice for the manslaughter of one of Succotz’s own as well as a cab driver she was travelling in a vehicle with on Saturday morning when it collided in to the vehicle driven by Assistant Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura.”

Despite the angry throng demanding justice, the ground commanders would meet with the families of the accident victim, before addressing the media.

Aaron Guzman

“The situation out here like Mr. Thompson said we understand certain sentiments but there are other Belizeans who need to go about their normal business. However as you saw earlier when we came in we withdrew some of the Police officers, I want to say to the Residents of Succotz. You have to be careful of your economic viability. If it is a tourist village there is a lot of tourist as you see walking pass. So it will affect all of us. We will continue to be here to keep the peace and if these people decide that they want to picket and not block the street, the police will escort them to do their picketing, so we are only here to keep the peace and do our portion as the law allows.”

According to the mother of twenty-eight-year-old Yanie Cu, the only surviving victim, the family is in dire straits and cannot afford the cost of surgery.

Azucena Cu

Azucena Cu, Mother of Accident Victim

“The people is with me because the police don’t do nothing. The police don’t take my son when the accident happen. When the police reach and see my son inside the taxi, he went along and saw Segura and said what happen boss. So my cousin, instantly she died. What happened my son is in the hospital. We need twenty thousand dollars to let my son perform surgery. And if we don’t pay that my son won’t have that.”

The angst of the residents is fueled by viral amateur footage circulating across social media in which the Deputy Commissioner is seen casually exiting the damaged vehicle, lighting a cigarette and fixing his pants.

Protestor

Protestor

“You see when he pulling up his pants, smoking like nothing happen. If I do that I must come out run and help the victim. So he don’t do that. So we are upset. All the people here are from Succotz. So what was he doing with his pants down?

Isani Cayetano reporting for News Five.