Belmopan Resident Loses Life in RTA
One Belmopan family is mourning the loss of a father and husband, following a fatal road traffic accident on Monday night. Forty-three-year-old Ruben Posadas, former Chairman of Armenia Village, had reportedly moved to Belmopan with his family not too long ago. Last night, he met his untimely demise, while on his way home from church. Posadas was riding his motorcycle when another motorcycle rider collided into him. But, could his death have been avoided if the intersection where he lost his life was just a bit safer? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
This was the scene on the corner of Cemetery Road and Calle Las Americas on Monday night in Belmopan, following a motorcycle collision that claimed the life of forty-three-year-old Ruben Posadas. Posadas was on his way home from church on his Lifan motorcycle. A Meliun motorcycle that was being driven by thirty-two-year-old Barton Jackson collided into Posadas at the intersection of Cemetery Road and Calle Las Americas. Both Posadas and Jackson were flung off their bikes and unto the street. A resident in the area, who arrived on the scene after the collision, spoke with us off camera.
Voice: Jose Linares, Belmopan Resident
“Last night this gentleman was coming from church on his cycle and approaching this intersection here on the corner as you could see. First off all it is a blind spot, because there is a lack of visibility coming from right or left. It is dark and you know you are not sure of what is coming on both side.”
One eye witness reported seeing one of the motorcycles catching fire after the incident. Posadas and Jackson were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital. Posadas succumbed to his injuries just after midnight, while being treated. He was only a short distance away from his home when the accident occurred.
“Reaching this intersection there, looks like the other cycle was coming from his left hand side and he didn’t notice it and it looks like that is what caused the accident. The other guy hit him and that is show it happened nuh. He flung off his cycle and the other guy stayed on the ground as well.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you think speeding was an issue here?”
Voice: Jose Linares
“Speed is really an issue because, there is no bump on that road and the guys on the cycle really doesn’t care about speed. They really run hard on their cycles and even vehicles, vehicles don’t stop. When you reach that intersection you really have to be on the lookout, what is coming and going cross there.”
Linares says that the street lights at the intersection have not been working for sometime, which makes it very dangerous for motorists at night. He also pointed us to a poorly painted stop sign on Cemetery Road, leading into the intersection that also lacks reflectors. He believes Posadas’ death could have been avoided.
Voice: Jose Linares
“It could have been avoided if as I repeat there would have been more lights in the area and put more speed bumps in the area yes.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.