1 dead, 1 barely alive in N. Hwy crash
If the Western Highway between the Zoo and Jaguar Paw is the nation’s most dangerous stretch of road, then the Northern Highway between the airport and Haulover runs a close second. Last night mile six was the scene of an accident that left one man dead and another tenuously clinging to life.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Twenty-one year old Deon Ramclam and thirty-two year old Jerry Matura had just left the Belize City Centre and were heading home
to Ladyville when the crash occurred sometime after 11:00. Ramclam who was driving the Nissan Maxima, died on the scene, while Matura remains in a coma at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Thirty-nine year old Hubert Baptist, who suffered a minor head injury and fractured his back, says he was driving the GMC van towards Belize City and there was nothing he could do to avoid the collision.
Hubert Baptist, Driver, GMC Van
“Instead of the guy take the curve on the outside on his hand, he take the curve on the inside. I try get off the road, but I couldn’t make it because he drift you know…head on…couldn’t get off.”
Leroy Matura says they do not know who was at fault, but just that his brother and friend were returning home after attending a volleyball game.
Leroy Matura, Injured Victim’s Brother
“We are not really sure, we just understand that they left from a volleyball game that was at the City Centre and on their way they caught in the accident. We’re not really sure exactly what happened, who is in the wrong.”
Today, the Matura family was at the K.H.M.H., but according to Leroy Matura his brother’s prognosis is not good.
Leroy Matura
“Well right now he is in an unconscious situation. He is very critical and the information I get from the doctor in charge, he say that we need to get him out as soon as possible to make sure he get correct medical attention. Because as far as they say that they can’t do anything more right now.”
Jacqueline Woods
“So what is the family doing?”
Leroy Matura
“Well we’re trying to get together whatever necessary we need to get him out. As far as from the work helping, we will try to go to social security to see if they could assist, and family members chipping in as well too.”
Both Ramclam and Matura worked for Bowen and Bowen as route salesmen. Matura says the family is trying to get his brother to a clinic in Merida, but because the men were not on worktime, it has been difficult getting the funds required for the trip. The family says they need twenty thousand dollars by Saturday morning, and if they can come up with the money they will carry Jerry to Mexico immediately. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
If you would like to assist the Matura family you can contact Carmita or Joseph Matura at 270 Stark Street in Ladyville or call 205-3157.
