And we turn now to the fatalities - two of them, on in the Belize District, the other in Dangriga.
First to the once in the city - which was gruesome: one man died after a dump truck ran over his head. 33 year-old Jose Martinez was riding his bike at around 4 on Saturday evening when he fell off. That's when the dump truck tried to get over the pedestrian ramp, and one of its wheels crushed his skull.
It was a very gruesome scene, and today Police told us more about how it happened:
Cpl. Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer, Precinct Two
"Precinct Two police proceeded to one mile George Price Highway where upon arrival they noticed a Hispanic male person lying face down on the street beneath a 14-wheeler dump truck, Peterbuilt brand that was driven at the time by one Gilroy Wade of a 8 Mile Community address. Our investigation has revealed that this said male person was riding contrary to traffic and the said dump truck arrived at the pedestrian ramp to give way to pedestrians crossing the ramp. However, upon moving off, his side man alerted him that he had knock down somebody. He immediately stop the said truck and rendered assistance."
"Our initial investigation is reveals that this said male person was on a bicycle and he had tumbled in front of the said truck when h received the bodily injuries. At this time Mr. Wade has been served with a notice of intended persecution by the police. We are gathering statements at this time that will be forwarded to the Director of Public Persecution who will then peruse the file and give her directives."
Daniel Ortiz
"In a situation like that where the evidence shows who passes away was breaking the law riding contrary to the flow of traffic. Does that remove culpability from the driver of the truck for his death?"
Cpl. Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer, Precinct Two
"As I said earlier the statements that have been recorded by the police will be forwarded to Mrs. Vidal at the office of the DPP who will peruse these said statements and then she will give us her directives forward."
Daniel Ortiz
"So she makes that determination?"
Cpl. Jorge Lemus, Admin Officer, Precinct Two
"So she makes that determination."
In addition to riding against the flow of traffic, there are eyewitness reports that suggest Martinez may have been drinking.
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