Belize City Youth Gets Bail for Traffic Fatality
Boyd Anthony Lopez
A Belize City resident got bail today for charges relating to the traffic fatality that took the life of seventy year old well know educator, Maria Knowles. At around one-thirty on Tuesday afternoon, Knowles was hit by a vehicle at the corner of Water Lane and Baghdad Street in Belize City. After spending two nights in police custody, nineteen year old Regent Street resident, Boyd Anthony Rodriguez, was brought to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to be read a slew of traffic offenses. Rodriguez faces charges of Manslaughter by Negligence, Causing Death by Careless Conduct, Drove Motor Vehicle without Due Care and Attention, Drove Motor Vehicle not covered by Third Party Risk Insurance and Drove Motor Vehicle while not being the holder of a Belize Driver’s License. Lopez appeared before Magistrate Herbert Panton, who explained that the offenses are indictable so he will not be taking a plea. There was no objection to bail by the prosecutor, Corporal Kennard Clark and Lopez was offered bail in the sum of five thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount which he meet by noon today. Lopez is due back in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on April seventeenth, 2015. The terrible traffic accident happened when Knowles was walking near her home at the intersection of Baghdad and Water Lane. The vehicle was driven at the time by Rodriguez, who was speeding down the street allegedly under the influence of alcohol. His vehicle ran into another that was on the right side of the street and then he drove the vehicle to the other side of the lane, breaking three water pipes, a fence and then hitting Knowles. The vehicle came to a stop when it later crashed into a park vehicle. Knowles was rushed to the hospital with multiple injuries and died on Wednesday afternoon around three.
Where the hell is the BNTU? A career teacher was killed on the sidewalk in front of her home, while on her way to work, by a drunken teenager, whose boss trusted him enough to lend him his uninsured vehicle. He was then released on a small bail without objection by the prosecutors?
At the very least, I would expect a statement from the BNTU, and if those fine ladies at the YWCA (where she worked), can get out of the fundraising mode; they too can let their voices be heard.
It seems that alcohol has become a culture in our country that no organization is appalled enough to speak out. I can guarantee you that the GOB can put a stop to this by either increasing the SIN tax (on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, etc), stricter sentences for drunk driving rather than the slap on the wrist this teenager received, or by raising the legal age for alcohol consumption to 21, when hopefully, most people are wiser, and more mature, and have more developed brain functions.
Mrs. Marie Knowles has impacted so many lives and have left her mark on society that cannot be erased. She was ‘a good teacher who inspired hope, ignite the imagination and instill a love of learning.” On behalf of the YWCA, we extend our sincere condolences to the Knowles Family and the teaching community and we are sadden by this tragedy. We want to make one correction that Mrs. Knowles was a volunteer at the YMCA on Fabers Road and not the YWCA. The YWCA family will continue to keep the Knowles family in our prayers.
How the he’ll did he get bail? The owner of the vehicle who knowingly loaned him it should be indicted and sued also.