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Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It's another chaotic morning at the heavily trafficked airport junction in Ladyville. Vehicles speeding by and darting in and out from different directions.

That hustle may have led to this morning's accident where 11 year old Austin was run over by a van at this junction.

As a result of the impact, his worn blue tennis shoes flew off and were left on the side of the road.

Deborah Grinage, Eye Witness
"I was standing right here. I saw the little boy coming down the road, so when he reached here, I saw him start to cross the road. I took my eyes off him and then I heard a bang and so I saw the vehicle running over the little boy and the little boy roll on the side of the road. I ran there to see what was happening and then everybody starts to come and then a lady said don't touch him. Then some guys from over there came and put him in a pick up and took him to BATSUB. The little boy looked very bad."

And it does look very bad because according to his sister, Austin has a broken leg and swelling in his brain. She believes it's because of careless driving.

Danila Olivera, Sister
"I would say about five past nine, my sister text me and she told me that my brother got knocked down. So, I just rush, dropped everything that I was doing and I rushed come. This incident is like a blow, because he is my little brother. He was on his way to school and I don't know what happened in between that time, but they say that he was coming out and crossing the street. I heard that this person (driver) was overtaking. I want to say, why did he had to overtake and he saw my brother coming. The thing that hurts me is it looks like he wasn't going to stop, if no witness was out there to see."

The driver was reportedly carrying tourists - and today he told police that the child ran out into the middle of the road. His van is impounded and charges are pending. The Officer Commanding Ladyville explains:..

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"Sometime about 8:30 this morning, Ladyville police received information of a traffic accident just at the junction of the airport road, where a minor was knocked down and he was escorted to the hospital. Our information received is that he is in a serious condition. The driver of the vehicle, Mr. Errol Belisle, 62 years of Belize City, reported to the police that he was driving on a direction from Ladyville towards Sand Hill direction and reaching in front of Sky's Supermarket here in Ladyville, the minor was running across the road, where the minor was knocked down."

Reporter
"The extent of his injuries?"

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"I understand that he suffered severe injuries to his feet and he also received head injuries. He was in a semi-conscious state."

Monica Bodden
"Could you give us the age of the victim?"

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"He is 11 years old and he is a student of Stella Maris School in Belize City."

Reporter
"I understand that the little boy takes this route every day and he was accompanied with another minor as well, where he was crossing the highway and he was hit in the middle of the highway and his body flung at the side of the road."

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"Yes, our information revealed that he was hit while crossing the road. I understand that he was supposed to catch a bus to go to Belize City."

Reporter
"Have you guys ascertain whether or not the driver of the vehicle was speeding?"

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"We are investigating the matter. We are also looking at that aspect of the investigation."

Reporter
"What about the driver?"

Insp. Frederick Gordon - Rural Executive Officer
"So far the statement has been recorded from the driver. He was served with a notice of intended prosecution. He is presently detained here in Ladyville and later on after we concluded the investigation, we will decide if charges will be levied against him."

And while the family keeps vigil at his bed side - and police weigh charges against the driver - those who monitor that very fast, very busy airport intersection are pleading for a speed bump to be placed there.