B.D.F. Officer Ran Over and Killed on Phillip Goldson Highway

Hector Cho

A Belize Defense Force soldier lost his life in a hit and run on the Phillip Goldson Highway in Ladyville. Reports are that just before ten p.m. on Thursday, thirty-eight-year-old Hector Cho was lying on the highway motionless when a concerned motorist stopped and exited his vehicle to inform another motorist of a body on the road. At the same time, a car drove by and hit Cho, dragging him about fifty feet from where he was seen lying.  That vehicle then sped off in the direction of Belize City. Cho was transported to K.H.M.H. where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Cho joined the Belize Defense Force back in October 2003. He was posted to the Air Wing as a cook up until the time of his death. Cho was also a member of the Easy Riders Motorcycle Club in Orange Walk. Today, we spoke by phone with Rene Reyes, the President of the Easy Riders Motorcycle Club. He told us about the soldier’s passion for living life and riding motorbikes.

On the Phone: Rene Reyes

On the Phone: Rene Reyes, President, Easy Riders MC

“I got to meet him because of a fellow brother that is also in the military and is also in our club and he recommended his membership coming into the club. Since the beginning, because we go through processes in entering our club. It was first a prospect which he showed a big interest, a hundred percent interest to strive to be a member which he did complete. He really proved himself and that is something I saw in him, he had a big passion in riding and being a bigger you know. I received the news almost midnight from our vice president, the same guy that recommended him to come in the club. He told us the devastating news because they work with him in the same company at Price Barracks. My initial reaction is that I did not believe it. I am still in disbelief, because we already have another comrade that we will have to bury, because the same thing a previous brother that was a BDF also. So, we are really shocked. That was Mr. Victor Martine.”