Spilled Diesel Causes Major Pileup on the PG Highway

There was a deadly traffic accident on the George Price Highway on Thursday. A forty-seven year old resident of Las Flores community in Belmopan was hit and killed. The vendor was riding his bicycle when he was knocked down by a police vehicle. Meanwhile in Belize City, there was a massive seven-vehicle pileup on the Phillip Goldson Highway this morning just after eleven o’clock. Preliminary indications are that a large truck leaked diesel on the stretch of road near mile seven, and that combined with a light drizzle spelled disaster. One vehicle ended up on its side off the road while the others received relatively minor damages. Today Ladyville Police took statements from drivers who are lucky to have escaped injury in a multiple-vehicle collision which could have been much worse. 

Inspector Juanito Cocom, O.C., Ladyville

Inspector Juanito Cocom

 “Ladyville Police responded to the scene of a road traffic accident between Mile six and seven on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Upon arrival Police saw a silver Prado flipped on the right side of the road heading to Belize City. Police also observed seven other vehicles collided into each other, namely a green Chevy S ten pickup, a green Mazda Tribute, a black Honda CRV, a purple Ford Ranger, a purple and silver Mitsubishi L200 and a white Chevy pickup. Investigation revealed that the accident was caused as a result of another truck leaking fuel on the road. That plus the rain compounded to the road becoming excessively slippery and causing the accident.”

Reporter

“When something like that happens, who would be responsible for that accident?”

Inspector Juanito Cocom

“Depending on the investigation…once we investigate and we find out who is at fault that person would be responsible.”

Reporter

“Were there any injuries sustained?”

Inspector Juanito Cocom

“Thank God no injuries were sustained, only damages to the vehicles. And the damages are minor with the exception of the Prado that flipped over.”

News Five has confirmed that the truck which spilled diesel on the road is owned by a company headquartered in Belize City. To clarify, the Police say that they can hold that company and or driver liable if the investigation shows that the pileup happened as a direct result of the spill.