A ten year old boy from Hope Creek was knocked down and killed on his birthday - and it is being blamed on drunk driving!
It happened on Saturday evening around 5:00 when Kevin Villafranco, a standard five student was riding northbound on the Humingbird Highway - which runs through his village - when he was knocked down from behind by a pickup. According to eyewitnesses, the child was flung unto the hood of the pickup and then rolled off, while his bike was crushed underneath the truck's wheels.
He died on the spot receiving serious head and body injuries. Villafranco's sisters told us more:
Vanessa Villafranco, Sister of decease
"He was just looking out and see what was passing and he said he saw when my little come out because there was a drain to cross before coming on the road, he saw the vehicle coming so he didn't cross, he continuing riding on the side so that the vehicle could pass but by the time he look back to see the vehicle - the vehicle just knock him down and the bike was under the vehicle; my brother roll on top of the vehicle, the man did not stop - he jump the speed bump and he went. The villagers got in their vehicle and pursue behind him, the police was also behind chasing the man, they met up with him at mile 16. The police had to shoot at him so that he could stop, but he didn't, instead he drove in the orchard. After that they caught him."
Rebecca Villafranco, Sister of decease
"My mother always tells him not to cross if he sees a vehicle. My mom teach him to ride until a vehicle pass then you can cross the road and go to the shop and that was what my brother was doing. They say that the driver was drunk so he just knock down my brother."
Andrea Polanco
"So villagers didn't tell you if the driver was driving really fast or reckless?"
Rebecca Villafranco, Sister of decease
"Yes they say that he was coming fast and speed bump was there in front of him, so he was supposed to be slowing down from the curve. My brother thought that it was a safe driver who was driving, so he was just riding pass."
Andrea Polanco
"I know that it is very difficult for you guys because the same day Kevin was celebrating his birthday."
Rebecca Villafranco, Sister of decease
"Yes, he was waiting on my father because in the evening my father had plan to do a barbeque for him. He call my father earlier in the day and told him not to forgot and to bring something from Belmopan for him."
Police have since arrested and charged twenty seven year old Josue Tello of Camalote Village with: manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving motor vehicle with due care and attention, failure to stop and render aid, failure to report and accident and driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.
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