Mervin Domingo Charged for Crashing into Philip Goldson Monument

Mervin Domingo

The taxi operator responsible for toppling and damaging the bust of Belizean national hero Philip Goldson when he collided into the monument on Saturday morning, has been charged for driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention.  Thirty-four-year-old Mervin Domingo has also been charged for driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.  Earlier today, Domingo appeared unrepresented in the lower courts where he was read two traffic offenses.  Shortly before the Carnival J’ouvert got underway on September ninth, Domingo was driving a minivan in the vicinity of the Freetown Road roundabout when he crashed into a statue adjacent to the traffic circle near mile one on the Philip Goldson Highway.

The accident caused significant damages to the bust.  If Domingo’s name sounds familiar, it is because he was charged back in October of last year for discharging a firearm in public.  That incident took place in front of Thirsty Thursday Nightclub.  At his arraignment for that offense, Domingo admitted to firing a nine millimeter handgun.  The weapon was reportedly taken away from him and he was taken home.  An investigation later revealed that Police Constable Herman Ramos took possession of the firearm when he removed it from the vehicle that was later located at Domingo’s residence.  In respect of his most recent offense, Domingo pleaded not guilty to both charges and was offered bail in the sum of six hundred dollars.  As we reported on Wednesday, the damaged bust of Philip Goldson has since been removed from its location by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing and taken to Ladyville where it will be repaired and reinstalled.