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Well Known Businessman Charged for Double Fatal Traffic Accident in Orange Walk
posted (January 4, 2016)
This morning in Orange Walk, well known business owner and executive of the Cycling Federation Perry Gibson was arraigned on multiple charges for knocking down and killing two people in Carmelita Village Orange Walk. It happened on Sunday at around 7:00 between miles 49 and 50 on the George Price Highway.

Authorities could not say definitively but they suspect it was a hit and run. What's more there is strong belief that Gibson, who also manages the cycling team Benny's Megabytes, was under the influence at the time. Emanuel Pech went north today to find out more.

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"They took everything from me, they took everything from me. I just want justice." [Sobbing]

This resounding tone of grief hung over the halls of the magistrate's court in Orange Walk today as the family of Lea Crawford and Adrian Wade waited to hear the charges brought against 44 year old Perry Gibson of Belize City. According to reports 22 year old Adrian Wade and 27 year old Lea Crawford, were on their way to a wedding in Camalote when Gibson knocked them down; killing the young couple.

ASP Selwyn Tillett- O. C. Orange Walk Police
"The initial investigation revealed that Lea Crawford, a Belizean teacher of Carmelita Village was riding on a bicycle heading in a southern direction to Carmelita Village on the right hand side of the highway, along with one, Adrian Maxwell Wade, a laborer also of Carmelita Village, where a black 2013 Toyota 4Runner bearing license plate BC - C-52122, driver by the time of one Perry Francis Gibson, businessman of 1130 Apple star Avenue, Belize City, who was heading from the direction of Orange Walk to Belize City when he collided with the two persons on the bicycle knocking them and causing their death."

Voice of: Eyewitness
"I saw the bodies of the two persons lying - the young man was lying on the right side of the highway and the young lady was lying on the side of the road in the bushes."

Reporter
"What caused you to come out?"

Voice of: Eyewitness
"I heard the knock and I ran out, me and my family members."

Reporter
"What was your reaction?"

Voice of: Eyewitness
"I was frightened. I didn't want to come out and see the bodies, because I am not a person that likes to see those things right. But I had to come out because we had to stop the vehicle, so that the young man would not get mash by the vehicles that were coming behind."

Authorities, based on the driver's report, say that the couple were double riding, however friends and family of the two deceased refuse to believe that.

Voice of: Eyewitness
"I know the persons because they use to come and buy at our shop and I know that they would never really ride on the bicycle. He would always be pushing his bike and she would be walking beside him."

Reporter
"You don't think they were double riding?"

Voice of: Eyewitness
"No. Because I use to always see them walking and he would be pushing his bike and then she would be beside him walking."

Marciana Gabriel - Resident of Camalote
"I am very disappointed with the court. I am really upset, because it's like this man hit dog. He just got his bail, walked out free and when they escorted him to the court, not even in a handcuff - nothing. He didn't even sympathized to the family. He passed all of us like we are nothing to him. Like he just knocked two dogs on the streets. Plus he was already hit and run and they were going to the wedding. 2). they weren't coming from the wedding. They were on the coming from the wedding. They were on the correct hand side. 3). they weren't double riding on a bicycle. That was false what he is saying. So all I got to tell him, remember, everybody have their turn and to the court, if you know what you have out there, please learn to respect and have enough love to it. Being in our shoes and being in anybody else shoes, knocking two persons, getting away free with this doesn't take you anywhere. They have justice and God is not sleeping. Yes, he tries to flee the scene, because when he hit these two people, the distance away that he hit them and the distance where the vehicle shut down, that is hit and run. Then he want to say that he is trying to get a phone card, when he already told someone else "I think I hit something." If the vehicle didn't lock down, this man was going free. We wouldn't have known what had happened. In fact he still gone free - he still led the scene free. He still went free with the court. Not even his driver's license they took away from him - nothing. When I notice in the court when you do something, they take away your license - they suspend your license for a year - he nothing and he murdered two people."

Reporter
"One of the charges refusing to provide urine sample for an alcohol test. Is it suspected though that he was under the influence at the time?"

ASP Selwyn Tillett- O. C. Orange Walk Police
"He was suspected. But when it comes to traffic offences, we always ensure we take blood and urine sample from the driver of vehicles. That's a part of the process."

Reporter
"Did he seem drunk at the time?"

ASP Selwyn Tillett- O. C. Orange Walk Police
"At the time we could not say. He appeared to be under the influence of something. So we cannot say if he was drunk or not."

Lea Crawford was well known and loved in the community. She had just started teaching at the Carmelita Village Preschool when she was fatally knocked down. The mother of Adrian Wade is appealing to the driver of the vehicle to have some heart and assist them with funeral expenses at the very least.

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"I know they knocked down my son and my daughter and it's a hit and run. I am not getting any justice and no assistance from the person who killed them."

Reporter
"What are your thoughts on the fact that he was trying to get away?"

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"He was trying to get away. It's a fact that he was trying to get away."

Reporter
"Have you spoken to him?"

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"Yes I did and he told me it was not a hit and run. But he has a real bad attitude and no sympathy."

Reporter
"Did he apologized to you at all?"

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"No, none. Not even a slight apology."

Reporter
"Did he say he was going to help you with the funeral expenses at all?"

Carol Jones- Mother of Deceased
"He told me to give my number to the police. He didn't even want to take it directly. So, I don't know."

Reporting for 7news, Emanuel Pech.

44 year old Perry Gibson was charged with 2 counts of manslaughter by negligence, 2 counts of causing death by careless conduct, failure to stop and render aid, failure to provide a blood or urine sample, and driving without due care and attention. He was released on bail of $20 thousand dollars and is due back in court on February 15th.

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