Family of five perishes in tragic highway collision
Irania & Zahar Rubio
It was a horrific accident, one of the deadliest and certainly the most gruesome, according to our records. A total of six persons died on the spot. The first accident led to the next at the same location at mile twenty-seven on the Western Highway on Saturday. An entire family of five perished early in the morning and hours later an employee of the Ministry of Works was killed. The first wreckage occurred at around seven thirty in the morning while the second occurred shortly after three that afternoon while the Ministry’s excavator was attempting to remove the cargo truck from the Highway. News Five’s Marion Ali traveled west today and joins Jose Sanchez in coverage of this tragic story. Here’s her first report.
Marion Ali
“The nation’s deadliest road traffic accident in recent years occurred along this straight stretch at mile twenty-seven on the Western Highway. It involved this small car behind me with five family members travelling toward Belize City and a freight truck traveling in the opposite direction. The impact sent both vehicles veering across the opposites sides of the highway. What happened is not yet exactly clear, and has left family members with more questions than answers.”
Albert Neal Sr., Father of Deceased Children
albert neal sr
“I just have a bad feeling about all this Marion. I am trying to figure this out because the way it happened you know, you could have slammed into the side of the truck and it bounce you back into your side of the road. But fi mek you go under di truck, dat noh sound too correct, ih noh look too correct.”
Marion Ali
“You don’t believe the driver lost control?”
Albert Neal Sr.
“I don’t want to comment that he didn’t lose control or he drop asleep. Maybe ih could ah drop ah sleep, ih could ah get a heart attack. I can’t express to you exactly how I’m feeling right now but you know.”
Marion Ali
“I understand. You were close to your kids.”
Albert Neal Sr.
“I was very close to them, very close. Even when I’m abroad, I send the money weekly from the United States.”
Victor Navarro, Cousin of Accident Victim
victor navarro
“I mi supposed to drive di vehicle but ih look like she change plans and she decided to go with her husband and…”
Marion Ali
“You were taking them where?”
Victor Navarro
“To the airstrip in Belize City.”
Marion Ali
“Who was travelling?”
Victor Navarro
“She and all of them, her husband.”
Marion Ali
“What made her change her mind about you?”
Victor Navarro
“Maybe they were in a hurry trying to get a flight earlier and she decide to go because him and her cousin mi supposed to go wid her and she mi wah left all di kids he and she mi wah stay. But she changed her plans and she decided to go with him and ih look like something bad happen.”
Albert Neal Senior was waiting in Belize City for his two children, seven year old Janelle and six year old Albert Junior when he received the tragic news that they had been killed along with their little brother, five month old Zahar Rubio, their mother, twenty-four year old Irania Rubio and her common-law husband, forty one year old Jose Nunez.
Albert Jr. & Janelle Neal
Albert Neal Sr.
“I called them on Wednesday and I asked my two kids what color bikes they would want so my daughter gave the phone to her mother and said well instead of you bring the bike here, why don’t we come to Belize and we go buy the bikes of their choice. So I said okay, I’ll wait for you by where I work with Sikaffy store and you meet me there and we go buy the bike and unu depart from dat. Unfortunately, they caught up in the accident which was not a pleasant sight to see.”
Marion Ali
“They were heading to Belize City for those bikes.”
Albert Neal Sr.
“Yes, they were on their way to the airport coming to drop off this guy who was with them.”
miguel che
The truck driver, Miguel Che, has been a truck driver with Cemento Maya for several years and was transporting four passengers and seven hundred sacks of cement to San Ignacio. None of his passengers suffered major injuries. He relived the incident.
Miguel Che, Truck Driver
“I di drive and I see the car di come. Ih di come good pan fi he right. suddenly he turn and like he di come faster. I just watch weh pah ih gwein fi mek I move or do something right. When I si—I try blow like three times fi di man and I si dat he di come fast and he can’t—ih no move out ah di way. I haul di truck wah lee bit but like di truck noh go fast. I feel bad. I just see ih get kinda dizzy and just like I seh I can’t do nothing more.”
Gilbert Guerra was a passenger in the freight truck and saw the accident as it unfolded.
Gilbert Guerra, Eyewitness
gilbert guerra
“I was coming to that direction going to Cayo and I was trying to get asleep. I saw the car coming, he saw it. So I was trying to get asleep but then I remembered my father-in-law he was shaking my hand. So when he was moving my hand I just open my eyes fast and I saw the car was coming straight to we. Just when I hear the impact I feel the car went underneath the truck. So when I open my eyes it was in the bush.”
Jose Sanchez
“So the car came on your side of the road?”
Gilbert Guerra
“Yes, he come straight to we.”
Saturday’s traffic accident happened within a quarter mile from a previous accident which claimed a total of six lives on January twentieth, 2003. Police continue to investigate the cause of Saturday’s tragedy. Marion Ali for News Five.
The mother and three children will be laid to rest on Tuesday in Las Flores.
I pray that the Good Lord will take these five souls into his hands and bless them.
Sad, sad, sad, what else can one say in this case really.
the car is mangled, no one could have survied this accident and lead a normal life.
R.I.P.
God is wonderful, God is great. What God does who are us to question! i am certain the goodLord will take this familly into his hands and make them angels. Drivers we ask that we all be more careful on ou higways, and nkow that we are not only driving for ourselves, but we have to be conscious for each other.
blessed be to all that last there life but i hope and pray what ever that man say is true because like the bible say “what so ever a man so so shall he reap” Just keep that in mind. It so sad mein. RIP
Government authorities please be on the lookout on the highhway for those who drive fast. implement seriuos fines.
Do not put God into This please read your bible correctly and the dead knows anything they are all asleep no one goes to hell nor heaven!!!! from dust to dust!!! God takes the breath!!
Great loss for the family. I hope and pray that the Lord has them in a better place. I know this girl since she was a baby. Its hard to see her part this way! RIP Jose, Irania and the little angels…
Do you think that painting a YELLOW LINE in the MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY would help to keep traffic separated??????
One of the problems with that portion of road is that it is a straight road with a gentle hill, so people assume the road is straight and clear, then try to overtake traffic and end up running head on into oncoming traffic which is hidden behind the low hill. That’s probably the reason for the previous accident in that area years ago, marked by the crashed truck mounted on a RF&G sign. Ministry of works needs to paint proper lines, and erect caution signs in that area.
VEHICULAR HOMICIDE?????????? LOT OF LAST NAMES NONE OF THEM HIS. MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT WAS BEING SAID BEFORE THE ACCIDENT?
Indeed it is a tragic accident and what about the lines marking truck that the made much fanfare about a few months ago has it been stripped or is it collecting dust in some garage. We need to be implementing serious fines about speeding and those vehicles with too much light other than those that comes at manufacturing time.
it’s hard breaking but God knows best R.I.P all these people who died.
it’s heart breaking but God knows best R.I.P all these people who died.
Bruce I WONDER if you are a “saint” who are you to judge, that’s not a nice comment, not in this sad moments for the family, keep it to yourself, PLZZZ
this is sad sad sad, hard to believe this happen to the family,
wether the yellow line is there or not,some drivers just feel like the road is for them, drive carelessly like if cars were made to be here forever, or like if they are participating on some race, but yes is heart wrenching what happened to them.
It is the drivers that should be careful, there are time that I am on the highway and some people drive like turtles, I get so mad cause I need to reach my destination, but heck I don’t blame them, they take their time to reach, well ar least they reach their destination intact.
My condolences go out to the family of the victims. I can’t even begin to imagine what you must be going through. God Bless your hearts, and may He help you through the rough road ahead.
When I was a student, some personnel from the Ministry of Works, I think, (can’t remember so far back) came to my school and showed us a model of a future Belize (By future they mean the year 2000). They showed us a FOUR WAY LANE leading right up to Orange Walk for the Northern Highway, and Belmopan for the west. It was probably just another campaign trick as some of us were able to vote already. It’s obvious that if we had a COMPLETE separation of traffic coming from opposite directions, we wouldn’t be having as many road traffic accidents.
The way these motorists drive on our Highways, you’d think that the roads are curve-free, and flat. The Department of Traffic has the potential to make a lot of money if they were to invest in some ‘speed cameras’. Those cameras would pay back for themselves. They would also make money if they were to implement the ‘3 – strikes’ system they have in some other countries. We simply cannot afford to have these repeat traffic offenders keep on driving recklessly, without consequences and accountability
I think we the people always wait until an accident like this happens then we will do something about it. Like placing better road signs and more yellow paints on the highway so drivers can see their own side of the road. Please lets do it NOW, lets not wait for another accident like this to happen again.
This accident was truely tragic. Time and unforseen circumstances, yeah, as humans we are all subjected to the possibility of such a demise , unfortunately.
However let us not ever attribute such heart wrenching catastrophy to GOD. Why would a God of love and tender mercies , ” take these people home” in such a horrific way to the excruiating pain of surviving loved ones? Of what use would 6 dead bodies be to him anyway?? No, the GOD that I know, is in no way shape or form responsible for that mayhem at mile 29. The DEVIL is……….. quite frankly…..if you need to know…..
I agree with you Macal, where ever u go the destination won’t moved people. So please drive within the speed limit of the highway. My heart goes out the family and my prays. May they soul rest in peace.
So very, very sad. May that family rest in peace.
Please citizens of Belize, know that you MUST wear your seat belts when driving! They save lives!
My heart breaks for this horrific accident..
NOT A SAINT AT ALL BY THE WAY I QUIT JUDGING A LONG TIME AGO! G O K WHAT TOOK PLACE I AM A REALIST ASKING A QUESTION.
MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL INVOLVED
B
so sad
my symphaties for the family in that accident……. it is a teribble accident may the god lord take them under his wings and give the family members strength to go each and every day with the they love the most and lost so suddenly. but who to blame it was an accident thats why its called an accident,,, have no name or face…….
may their souls R.I.P
GOD ALMIGHTY HAS A PLAN FOR US ALL. KEEP THIS FAMILY IN YOUR LOVING EMBRACE DEAR LORD AND STRENGTHEN THE HEARTS OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO NEED IT IN AN UNFORTUNATE TIME LIKE THIS.
WHY DO WE HUMANS ASSOCIATE GOD WITH BAD THINGS GOD IS A LOVING GOD AND NEVER BRINGS TRAGEDIES TO US…IT IS ALL A MATTER OF ” UNFORTUNATE EVENTS” WHICH IS NORMAL FOR US HUMANS LIVING IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD….THE DEVIL IS HAPPY WHEN WE BLAME GOD…WE HAVE TO KEEP POSITIVE WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN AND REMEMBER THAT THEIR WILL BE A RESURRECTION AND WE WILL REUNITE WITH OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN BUT FOR NOW THEY ARE FALLEN IN SLEEP THEY FEEL OR KNOW NOTHING UNTIL THAT GREAT DAY….SLEEP WELL MY FRIENDS SO SAD THAT WE ARE ALL A PART OF THIS CYCLE OF LIFE….WE NEED TO PREPARE OURSELVES SPIRITUALLY SO TO NOT BE AFRAID OF DEATH.
I think God stepped out of the scene a long time folks – we (the human race) have been on our own for quite some time now.
Thats sad and iust a terrible tragedy. The government needs to invest in medians to separate the uncoming traffick from the other, atleast in some ares like curves and hills and winding roads. Less than a million dollar can do this, spend it its the peoples money anyway.
All I have my to say is that I’m really sorry for the relatives May God console them and given them strength to continue living. Because for sure the 3 children went straight to heaven no doubt about it but what about the 2 adults only God knows??????????? This is a lesson for all drivers to be more careful and also to be close to God since we don’t know when we have to be in account him our Savior.
May God look after the family member to cope with such a last . I know that it might seem unbearable but god does not give us more than we can handle. Call on him and he will hear you! Only he can put you through whatever situation or circumstance! God Bless
nose k desir no lo puedo creer aun kisiera despertar y saver k todo solo fue un sueno Adios IRANIA Adios……Aks
R.I.P. Irania with your angels.
My condolences to the families.I truly believe in God but I’m also realistic and I believe that what is meant for us no one can change it.It was to be this way an we all have our lives written too,at least we can say in this case that they went together and didn’t suffer.It would have been worst if a member of the family would have lived and remained in a difficult situation medically speaking.But I should also say that yes I too hope that the driver of the truck is saying the truth cause the dead can no longer defend his/her self. Only GOD knows what truly happened here and only he will judge. It would very much help if the authorities start implementing rules for driving and really punish the culprits.I myself am a driver and I hate seeing people speeding especially when driving through a village or town. We should all learn from these accidents and be more careful.R.I.P Irania, Albert jr,Janelle,Zahar and Jose.
thats messed up but life sucks sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
first of all my symphaties goes to the family in this sad sad time may god help them thru this all maby a candle vigual should be done at the area so that their soles may rest in perfect pease and i hope that the government would wake up and do something about our highway. may god bless the victims family
It was so difficult for me to see Irania’s mother reaction upon the arrival of the bodies….I can only imagine the pain that a mother goes through loosing a daughter and three beautiful grandchildren.
I pray that God gives her the strenght she needs to carry on.
anyone know the reason of the accident? guy has hangover or drunk?, vehicular mishap? f-up highway? how can we impose fine when barrow vehicle and several other ministers vehicle zip pass you at 90-100 mph? just fix the highway.. put sign, put speed humps.. you will start to create jobs when you fix the highway, feed criminals at the jail once a day and use that money to fix our poor highway..
I just have wah feeling that the guy in the cement truck fell asleep behind the wheel, he look like he da wah drunk himself. Maybe he had goma. I hope police do a thorough investigation, because i can feel that he feel asleep. But see everybody died in the car, DEAD MAN TELL NO TALE….no one to defend them…no one survived to say really what happen. Because the man from the truck no wah seh he fell asleep, the guys that were with him no wah seh he fell asleep. I hope the police did a alcohol test on this man. May the family of the deceased find peace in their hearts to deal with their great loss. All my condolences goes out to them. May their soul rest in peace.
My condolences to the family of this young mother, may they rest in peace. Let’s get to the point! The problem is the highway! When will the government invest in making our highways a safer place to travel on? I thought that when the ex PM RHon. Manuel Esquivel had his accident, the PM would try to do something about it, but, again I thought wrong. This has to come to an end. How much more lives will it take for the government to realize that the stretch of highway from Hattieville to Belmopan is a life taker! Innocent people have lost their lives on that stretch of road, families have been torn off their loved ones. Mr. PM, pleaseeeeeee, I beg you! You and your government need to do something urgently about this issue. I am a frequent user of this highway and everytime I drive it, I am scared. Death lurks patiently on our most dangerous highway in the country. Drivers! Be safe! RIP Rubio Family!
……… should follow up on the rumors that are surrounding this case. It is alleged that Irania and her bf were having some problems and further alleged that she no longer wanted to be with him. The saddest part yet…I got chills when I heard this, it is alleged that the gentleman took their lives (suicide and murder) in the accident since he was not ready to lose her.
I believe the relevant authorities should investigate this allegation especially since it coincides with what the truck driver claims….truck driver blew his horn….and they didnt move into their lane…really sad!
fishy I agree with you, Irania had two children for one man, a five month with another man, the driver was the father of non of them, and the baby is only five month, one of them was going away, he an older man she a young woman.wow think on the and solve the puzzle,hmmm
Suicide, murder to the old man the driver, who cares, the children are not his, he can’t have the woman no other man will!!
Some men are mentally sick and this is how they think! Yes think Think,
WE NEED TO SEE A PICTURE OF THE DRIVER!!!!
Macal, he was a Mexican/American….it is alleged that she had taken him to the airport once before and he had refused to go….again these are allegations…..the relevant authorities need to investigate with family and friends….some women need to know what men think if it is true.
Furthermore, the kids were not properly dressed as if they took off unexpectedly. This is very suspiscious!
Macal: I agree with you this smell like Talapia to me.The need to investigate this …..
I am waiting to see if the PM or even the suggestion to make the most frequently traveled roads wider and safer for motorist.
Here is how this would help the Belizean’s people in so many ways;
1. Fewer motorists trying to overtake traffic in front of them, this means fewer accidents.
2. Provide much needed jobs for Belizeans.
3. The Belizeans have more money to spend. This will provide some lift for the Belize economy.
4. I hate to mention this one, The Party that is responsible for making this happen would be look at favorably.
So this would be a win, win situation. Make this happen Mr. PM.
I offer my condolence to this family on their tragic loss.
I drove on the Belize roads.. I don’t understand how some of those accident happens.. its seems that many Belizeans just don’t know the basic rule of driving… When I was driving behind another car, when the car turned, the driver did not put on his signal, I notice many belizean drivers who do not respect the road and implement the safety rule. No seatbelts.. I can go on and on.. Those roads are easy to drive.. its not difficult… especially if you are driving straight… the only problem I observed are when the roads turns.. all you need to do is be more patient and mindful that there might be a possiblity that another car might be comming from the opposite directions, so instead of turning using the middle of the road… turn using the edge of the road… just basic common sense.. but belizeans just think they the role high… instead of using their heads and the rule of driving when on those roads….. They gonna keep on dying… one after the next… I am so sorry to say that… but its the truth….
fishy…….thank you for the insight.
New info:
1. The guy was leaving the country…however, there were no luggage. His luggage were found by the family at her home.
2. She took nothing like clothing or snack for the kids
3. She was supposed to drive back with a 5-month child and no childseat to put that child on the way back fromt he airport.
4. She didn’t prepare the kids (shower, clean clothes, grooming)
5. Driver behind saw the car on left lane, when truck blew horn, the car returned to right lane, then upon right infront of truck, it swerved back to the left lane into the truck.
6. Someone else was to drive him to airport and was not picked up
Everything points to Jose (driver) forcing them into the car and driving off or Irania innocently went along not know his intention. Whichever way, I believe that authorities should get to the bottom of this so other women can learn from this experience.
TERROSIST ATTACK!!
I am positive sure this crazy man killed Irania and her children!!! and himself too, hope he burn in hell if he did it fi true!!
After reading all news, well can’t help it that is my conclusion, but what can we do about it??
Hmmmm!!!! this is a serious issue however coming to think about it it’s true .cause another person was to go with them as driver I think it was her cousin if I’m not mistaken by what I heard on the news and he said they left without him. So sorry for Irania and her innocent kids.
The authorities should investigate this so that other women be careful in the future.
Get your news right ppl my little baby name is Zahir Alpuche i was liveing with her. i had about a week befor d accident that i went back home to sanpedro. men i was gana die along with them if i havent come back home. i miss them. i now my little angels are ok. i used 2 play with janelle and albert i love my little baby’s and zahir my sweet baby boy i love to c him smile. they were a realy happy family i now irania loved her kids more than anything in the world she would never put her kids a side 4 anything. those kids were her live her world. i now wat dose kids ment to her. y investigate if they are all dead that wont bring them back pus ony we d family now her story. she was d sweetest cousin she was a really nice person she had a really nice,good personality she was d best. irania janelle albert and zahir we ur family love u and we all will keep u alive in our hearts. “WE ALL LOVE U AND MISS U WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE U IN OUR HEARTS” MUA MUA BESITOS PAR USTEDES MIS AMORES. my familia adorados. jose killed dem.