Killed on the job, coworker charged for manslaughter
Luis Beltran Garcia
Fifty-seven year old Honduran national, Luis Beltran Garcia an employee of Belize Waste Control, was slapped with four criminal charges today: Manslaughter by Negligence for causing the death of Kenrick Sutherland, Causing Death by Careless Conduct, Drove Motor Vehicle without Due Care and Attention and Permit a Person to Travel Not Properly Seated. Garcia was denied bail as the prosecution stated that he is not a Belizean and could not provide a Social Security Card to prove status in Belize, and as a result is considered a flight risk. Garcia was remanded to Belize Central Prison until March twenty-ninth 2013 when he is to go back to court. The incident occurred on Friday when Sutherland was crushed by the rear wheel of the pickup truck driven at the time by Garcia. Sutherland was sitting on the edge of the pan of the vehicle when he allegedly fell as the truck took off. Garcia not knowing that Sutherland had fallen, drove over his head causing his death instantly.
It was a tragic accident, but I’m not sure what the driver did wrong, as compared to the poor man who died, and apparently took an unsafe place on the truck.
Perhaps someone should look at the Belize Waste Controls hiring practices.. why hire a guy who has no legal status, no SS card. Is there not a Belizean who could drive a truck…
Why would you charge the poor old man it was an accident charge the company for allowing workers to be ridding at the back of the truck. Is sad how this man die, but is was an accident, the company should have safety measures put in place
I agree with you Guest…it seems that the focus should be on the safety measures of the company…Mr. Garcia was just driving the truck and trying to earn a living…the company should be held responsible…maybe the family should take the company to court and sue for wrongful death cause by negligence…
@Guest, you are so right. There are no rules in Belize for anything. Employees drive government vehicles after hours while drinking and partying. There needs to be guidelines for these people to follow. This government has to get on track with running things in order.
this is racism, nobody in Belize gets locked in jail without bail for this. plain racism
This is a conspiracy. The waste control is lieing about how the employee died. He did not fall off the truck. News reporter please investigate as the company is trying to save themselves.
The waste control company is lieing about how the employee died. He did not fall off the truck. Waste control is trying to cover up what really happened. News reporter please investigate. The autsy will show.