7 News Belize

The Passing of “Pantas”
posted (March 3, 2014)
Last week we told you about 63 year old Jose Elmer Villanueva, known as "Pantaz" who tumbled out of a moving and overcrowded J&J bus travelling from Benque. We reported that he was hospitalized at the KHMH since February 26th when the incident occurred and was placed in an induced coma by doctors. After fighting for his life for 5 days at the KHMH, Villanueva passed away just before 9 last night. Today police are asking passengers who were on the bus that day to assist with any additional information.

Supt. Chris Noble, O/C Ladyville
"With regards to the bus we did manage to get relevant information from that scene. The driver was very cooperative; we did get all our statements. We are asking that persons who were in the bus that may have seen what transpired - come forward for us, you can go to any station and say you were on that bus and I am certain that we can arrange for the recording of a statement for file purposes to assist in the investigation. The gentleman passed away sometime early today and we are preparing for an autopsy at this stage."

Reporter
"Is it likely sir that that charge will be upgraded?"

Supt. Chris Noble, O/C Ladyville
"There was no charge at the initial stage. He was served with a notice and we are looking into what may have caused it which is why I am making the appeal that if there is somebody coming forward, it would assist us."

41 year old bus driver Roman Chan was served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

On that day, he was carrying 20 passengers more than the bus's capacity. He pleaded guilty to the taking on too many passengers and was fined f $100. He owed court for a previous conviction of this very same offence.

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