Investigators Looking Into the Death of Jeffrey Hernandez
Jeffrey Hernandez
Belize City Police are investigating the death of twenty-one-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez. The football player of Guinea Grass Village was mangled by a cement mixer on Monday night. He was cleaning the heavy-duty equipment at AP Enterprise Cement Block factory located on the George Price Highway when the machine turned on, trapping him between the blades. He was trapped for more than two hours as BERT personnel and firefighters did their best to free him. The injuries were so severe that he died shortly after. The incident has caused Hernandez’s family to question whether his death was accidental. The police were informed of Hernandez’s death the day after the incident and according to ASP Alejandro Cowo, the investigative file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice as the investigation continues.
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
“We have interviewed person working on the ground and we have recorded statements from them and yes we have a statement that at this moment we are looking at. We have forwarded the necessary documents to the Director of Public Prosecution office for them to advise us as to how to proceed with this matter.”
Reporter
“So there is a possibility that this wasn’t an accident?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“It is an accident. It was not intentional but it was an accident that happened.”
Reporter
“He was cleaning the mixer alone?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“Yes, he was by himself inside the mixer.”
Reporter
“Have you then established how that machine was able to start?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“There a many ways the machine can be started that is why I am telling you it’s an investigation that the police is still doing. We have not classified it or just regarded as a sudden death. It is an investigation that the police is still investigating.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you believe that the machine was accidentally turned on?”
Balbino Batun
Balbino Batun, Grandfather of Jeffrey Hernandez
“No.”
Hipolito Novelo
“What do you believe sir?”
Balbino Batun
“I say to my mind maybe the ones who were there to see the work and the next one who came to help maybe some of them touch the button accidently. I do not say they did it just to see what will happen. Maybe accidently but none of them want to take responsibly.”
Hernandez only had one week working at the block factory. He had plans to married his long time girlfriend in December.
