In September of 2007 Ralph Fonseca Junior and Ralph Balderamos were killed just outside Orange Walk when a trailer that had become unhitched rammed into Fonseca's Toyota Prado. Both men were crushed in the front seat of the SUV.
The man driving the truck that was carrying the trailer was 33 year old San Jose resident, Alberto Chan. He was transporting the trailer for L and R Liquors. The case went to trial in the Orange Walk Supreme Court a few weeks ago where Chan was indicted for two counts of manslaughter by negligence for Fonseca and Balderamos and one count of negligent grievous harm for the injury to Eugene "Fatback" Webster who was in the back seat.
The trial concluded today with a jury finding Chan not guilty of both counts of manslaughter. The trial judge also instructed them to consider the alternate charge of causing death by careless conduct for which they also found him not guilty. The jury was unanimous in its decision after under two hours of deliberation. The negligent grievous harm charge was struck out on a no case submission.
And so. this afternoon, Chan who was represented by Ellis Arnold left the court acquitted of all charges.
And while that is the end of this case as a criminal matter, it is of note that the Balderamos family has reportedly gotten a substantial civil judgment against L and R for negligence.
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