Cop arrested for hit and run
Another policeman is in trouble, this time in Belmopan. The allegations are that he drove drunk, knocked a cyclist to his death, and sped off into the night. Not surprisingly, the victim’s family is both distraught and angry.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
This afternoon, Inspector of Police Cardinal Smith appeared in Belmopan Magistrate Curt where he was charged with a series of offences including the manslaughter of seventeen-year-old Jamel Torres?Sheppard. Around 7:35 on Sunday night, Torres?Sheppard was riding his bicycle with family and friends on the Hummingbird Highway between miles fifty-four and fifty-five when he was knocked down from behind. Orlando Nah, who was riding with Torres?Sheppard, says one minute his friend was by his side and in a flash he was gone.
Orlando Nah, Friend/Eyewitness
“We decided to take a trip to Belmopan to buy some food, so my daughter and my son and my nephew accompanied us and this young man. So we are travelling to Belmopan on bicycle and approaching the showground areas, a vehicle come from behind and just wipe him off the highway, knock him down dead.”
“He was on the ground, laying upwards, face upwards on the side, the white line, right beside the white line. And blood, no response. Then I touched him by his heart and I feel a mild movement, but there was no breathing.”
Nah says Smith did not stop to render aid, but drove away from the accident. According to Nah, if it was not for the kind assistance of a taxi driver, he believes Smith would have gotten away with the crime.
Orlando Nah
“A little while after that a taxi from Belmopan came and quick time he said, the guy weh knock him down just past. He see a guy with one light and he say it must be that guy and he come around and he come pursue the guy.”
According to officer in charge of the Belmopan police station, Simeon Alvarez, Smith has been with the force for fifteen years. Alvarez says he cannot confirm whether or not Smith was on duty or on a special assignment, but he does agree that Smith, who was driving a government vehicle, acted irresponsibly.
Simeon Alvarez, O.C. Belmopan Police Station
“I do sympathize with the family and also with the Police Department for what had actually happened because I strongly believe that if the alleged driver would have stopped and render aid, maybe the family would have feel more comfortable.”
When Smith was brought back to the scene of the accident Alvarez says family and friends of the deceased shouted threats, but according to Nah, Smith appeared to be intoxicated and did not show any signs of remorse.
Orlando Nah
“He was very arrogant. He mentioned to one of them, ?You know who me?? Then I wonder, well who he must be? And he was very arrogant, he was not sympathetic, he had no remorse. So I personally told him, ?man, you killed somebody, you have conscience whatsoever? You cold!? I didn?t know at that point he was an officer, by no means, I didn?t see that as an officer or nothing, as I saw him as a driver, as a reckless driver.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Is it true Mr. Alvarez that Inspector of Police Smith was intoxicated at the time of the accident??
Simeon Alvarez, O.C. Belmopan Police Station
?Well at this time I wouldn?t really want to comment on that. But what we did was that I personally took him to Western Regional Hospital for blood and urine samples to be taken from him, which I will take to the government chemist for analysing. And at the conclusion of that then we will know indeed whether he was under the influence of alcohol.”
“When I arrived here, I had to took control because the family or the close relatives of the deceased, they wanted to attack the driver. And I tried to talk to them, I explained to them that I also sympathised with them, I am not happy with what had happened, but we have our part to play. We need to take measurement before the body is removed.”
Smith has been charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, failure to report an accident, leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid. News 5 understands that Smith may also face interdiction from duty. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
Meanwhile Alvarez denied allegations that when he arrived on the scene he too was intoxicated. Alvarez says at the time of the accident he was home and after receiving the call, he headed out to the location.
