Hit and run on Northern Hwy: cops look for killer

The northern approach to Belize City has a well deserved reputation for vehicular danger, but a fatal accident that took place on the highway last night has the victim’s family, not to mention police, shaking their heads in disgust. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

For the past three and a half years, twenty-four year old Kenol Duce worked as a driver and security guard for the United States Embassy and was on patrol in the Buttonwood Bay area when his life was cut short in a tragic traffic accident that has left the police looking for the hit and run driver.

Idolly Hamilton, Stepmother

“I know God noh the sleep, and this person, whosoever he may be, the God weh I the serve, I know justice will served and he has to show his face to let them know that dah he do something like that, because my God will answer prayers.”

Kenol Duce and his passenger, Keith Castillo, were travelling in a ford pickup truck on Henderson Avenue towards the Northern Highway. But when the vehicle reached this intersection to make a right turn it was hit on its side by another vehicle heading in a northerly direction. The pieces of broken glass you see here is where authorities believe the first impact occurred. The force of the collision was so great that it caused the pickup to flip several times before it finally came to rest on its side a hundred feet away on the side of the highway. Duce, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle and is believed to have died on the spot.

Joseph Duce, Father

“Several times, because the flipped at least three to four times. I think that is why he, the vehicle look like it flipped on him his head. His back head is smashed up behind here, his back head is smashed up.”

Castillo received only minor injuries and remains in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Unbelievably, the driver from the other vehicle, did not stop. Today, the police appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has seen a suspiciously damaged vehicle. The Duce family says they cannot understand how that person could have simply drove off and left their son lying on the highway.

Joseph Duce

“Well we feel so bad because I cannot believe that could happen just like that. I know if anything, I am a driver because my business is driving. If anything I always, even if dah noh me in the accident, I always stop and help. And this person I want at least to come out and show his point, so we know what is going on.”

Jacqueline Woods

“The Northern Highway especially the stretch between Belize City and the cut off to the International Airport has seen its share of traffic accidents. The Belize City Council, which is responsible for the first five miles of the road, has plans to address the problem.”

David Fonseca, Mayor, Belize City

“The Ministry of Works has put in place a design of the Northern Highway from the last round about all the way up to the Haulover Bridge, which will basically upgrade the surface of the road, upgrade the drainage on the road, and also in the plan there is a design to have medians down the centre of the highway, which gives more control, more direction as far as traffic flows are concerned and of course the enforcement of speed limits within those areas will have to happen. Also, we are looking for another bridge going across the Haulover Creek to lessen the amount of traffic coming all the way into the city and turning back out.”

It is estimated that at least eight thousand vehicles travel the Northern Highway every day into Belize City. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.

Mayor Fonseca did not say when the rehabilitation work will commence, but said they are looking to start as soon as possible.