Shish Family Homeless After Dump Truck Crashes Through House
A family of four from San Ignacio is tonight without a roof over their heads because on Sunday morning a dump truck ran off the street and ploughed through their elevated wooden house. The truck was driven at the time by Ervin Torres of Bahadur Trucking and Backhoe Services, who claims that he lost control of the heavy duty vehicle, crashed through the house before coming to a stop at a concrete fence. Gudy Shish and her two children were inside the house at the time, but luckily survived with minor injuries. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Around 9:30 on Sunday morning, Gudy Shish and her two sons, ages nine and seven, were inside their two-bedroom, elevated wooden house on Western Street in San Ignacio when a dump truck ran off the road and crashed into their home. It happened within seconds; the family was unable to get out as the house came crashing down on top of them. It was a frightening experience for the family, who remain in disbelief today.
Gudy Shish
Gudy Shish, Homeowner
“I was inside my house when I see the truck come down but I just try to take my kids out. When I see the truck come down and I see that, I couldn’t find the door and get inside. So I can’t imagine in one minute pass everything.”
Gudy received injuries to her back and hip and was taken to the hospital for treatment, but says she is grateful that they survived the ordeal. Her nine-year-old son Melvin also received injuries to the face. He says he was playing with his little brother in the sofa when they heard screeching tires and was later knocked out of the chair.
Melvin Montalvan
Melvin Montalvan, Son of Homeowner
“I was in the sofa playing with my little brother when my dad shout the brakes loose from the truck. Then I was on the sofa squeezing my brother right there, trying to protect my brother from the truck and the sofa come under me.”
Gudy Shish
“I come here and I neva recognise the driver, who he is. He go with me dah the hospital, but I neva know it was the driver of the truck. When my sister reach, she tell me that that is the driver from the truck cause I neva see the driver. I just di get inside and I noh see anything. Thanks God. I can’t explain, but I am so happy that I am alive. I noh know. I am so thankful to God.”
The truck, which is owned by Bahadur Trucking and Backhoe Services, was carrying fill material. Coming down the steep hill, the driver lost control of the vehicle which careened off the pavement. The truck came to a stop after it crashed into a concrete fence belonging to Gudy’s brother, Oscar Shish.
Oscar Shish, Brother of Homeowner
“I was at the farm when one of my relatives called me and told me about the accident. I neva thought it was so big like that, but when I came it was very messy. The window is completely destroyed and part of the wall too. I mean material things can be repaired, but my sister lost everything, completely everything. What she had inside the house, nothing is left that we could say that is good. Everything is completely done there.”
Joseph Myvett
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“The truck was being driver by one Ervin Torres and according to him, he was moving a number of materials when he was going in that direction and he seemingly loss control of the truck due to some mechanical problems.”
The Shish family have since recorded statements with the San Ignacio Police, but are worried because they are not sure that they’d be able to recover before Christmas.
Gudy Shish
“Stove, microwave, beds, table, sofa, refridge, everything…kitchen items.”
Duane Moody
“….everything got destroyed.”
Gudy Shish
“Yes.”
Duane Moody
“How do you recover from this?
Gudy Shish
“I don’t know.”
Oscar Shish
Duane Moody
“The company should support, replacing what your sister has lost and at least fixing the fence and your window?”
Oscar Shish
“Of course, they supposed to because they had their house, everything there and they are left with nothing. So I think they should be responsible for it.”
ACP Joseph Myvett says that the driver of the dump truck was initially detained, but has since been served with a notice of intended prosecution. The company has also advised that it would replace what was destroyed.
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Those persons concerned have approached the family and have indicated that they will compensate for the damages.”
The Shish family is in the process of getting an estimation of the value of the house and its contents which have been destroyed, as well as the repair of the fence and window. Duane Moody for News Five.
