Fatal traffic accident on Northern Hwy claims life 17 yr. old

A Saturday night outing in Ladyville turned fatal for one and two others were injured in a traffic accident just after a deep curve near Miles eight and nine on the Northern Highway. The seventeen year old driver died while undergoing surgery and one passenger is in critical condition at the K.H.M.H. the other passenger is out of woods. The three were heading to Belize City after a basketball game when their car smashed into a parked vehicle. Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting
The aftermath of a recreational activity ended tragically for one and left two critically injured. Three friends: seventeen year old Hiram Longsworth Jr., eighteen year old Shelima Smith and twenty year old Charleston Andrews left from a basketball game and while en route to Belize City, upon reaching the junction of Vista del Mar, Longsworth lost control of his vehicle and slammed into two cars that were parked on the right hand outside of the Manatee Lookout Restaurant and Bar. Approximately eight hours later, Longsworth succumbed to his injuries.

Hiram Longsworth Sr., Father of Deceased
“I lose the first child of my life; a very dynamic young man, not only because I was he was my son, he was al that I ever lived for. I saw him on the bed, the doctors working on him with massive head injuries. Nothing much but it was more inside.”

Duane Moody
“So he had internal bleeding most of all?”

Hiram Longsworth Sr.
“No, he had a broken jaw and he ruptured the top of his brain where the mouth is, which is a softer tissue according to the doctor, and he passed. Yeah, eight hours later, about ten o’clock the morning, the doctor came out and he explained to me and his mom that he went under surgery and there was nothing much he could do for him.”

Duane Moody
“And the post mortem I know today at around one o’clock they did a post mortem on his body. What did it say more or less; what was the cause of his death?”

Harim Longsworth Sr.
“Well, the cause of death was of head trauma; massive injury to the head itself.”

Inspector Calbert Flowers, O.C., Ladyville Police
“Police visited an area on the Northern Highway with the junction with Vista Del Mar with Ladyville where police observed three vehicles with extensive damage. This is just in front of Manatee Lookout. Initial investigations reveal that Hiram, Longsworth was driving his Ford Escort car from the direction of Ladyville towards Belize City when apparently he lost control and ran into two other vehicles that were parked on the side of the road; a Jeep Cherokee received extensive damage and a Dodge Truck. As a result of the accident, the car ended up underneath the back of the truck and three passengers in the vehicle received serious injuries.”

Shelima Smith sustained massive head and body injuries and is in critical condition at the K.H.M.H. Smith suffered from facial fractures, broken hands and legs.

Melissa Hylton, Aunt of Shelima Smith
“The entire family was at a basketball game. We left from there about five to twelve and we though she was going home. She said auntie Mel I gwein home right now. About a quarter past one, we got the call that she was in an accident and one of the guys, they couldn’t take out of the vehicle. And we called her mom and we rushed to the hospital and that was what we knew.”

Duane Moody
“Do you know what is her current condition?”

Melissa Hylton
“Well presently, she has a broken leg, she’s suffering from damages to her face as well. She’s not in the clear; I can’t say that she is in the clear we just need a lot of prayers. We need everyone to keep praying for her that she comes out of it. Since Saturday night, every time they keep finding something else and we’re running out so we really need a lot of prayers for her.”

Charleston Andrews was also injured and both of his legs were broken. Andrews was retrieved from the wreckage approximately an hour and a half after police arrived on scene.

Insp. Calbert Flowers
“One of them remained hospitalize with several injuries to the lower part of his body; his legs and also minor injuries to his face but he is in stable condition.”

With medical bills piling up, Smith’s family is turning to the public for assistance.

Melissa Hylton
“There will be numerous surgeries that she will have to undergo and as soon as she gets out of the hospital here we will need to send her abroad for more surgeries that will be taken place.”

Duane Moody
“What would be the estimated cause for all of this medical attention?”

Melissa Hylton
“Honestly, I can’t say because I know its a lot of money, a lot and we are appealing if anyone can assist us to please. They can contact her mom, contact me, anyone. We would greatly appreciate that.”

If you would like to assist that Shelima Smith, you can contact her aunt, Melissa Hylton at 660-8298 or her mother, Sarita Gill, at 604-5350. Duane Moody, Reporting for News Five.

At news time, Smith’s condition is said to be deteriorating.