A cyclist was knocked down and killed on the Western Highway. It happened on Friday night around 7:45, when 33 year old Hattieville resident Jason Robinson was heading to Belize City on his bicycle. But as he was approaching miles 16, a Shaw's Bus heading to the city as well, ran him over -hos body was mangled and his bicycle was crushed beneath the bus's front bumper. Today we spoke with an eyewitness who was a couple cars back when the accident occurred. The police also gave us more details on the incident.
Norman Augustus, Eyewitness
"I was in Pearl bus. I was like say like 4 vehicle behind the incident and all I know that there is a full stop and police came suddenly quickly and let us know that we cannot pass this way. So we waited like an hour and a half to two hours and then they took us around the old street behind the church and meanwhile this is happening, I saw a couple of gentlemen, Mr. Craig and Mr. Bush actually crying out saying that the bus ran over Mr. Robinson. Now, I was stunned."
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural
"According to the driver, Franco Audinette, whilst he was driving he entered an area that was not well lit and he did not see the victim until he was about 5 feet in front of him and he swerved in order to try an avoid hitting him, but still managed to hit him. He was swerve with NIP and that matter is still being investigated as we speak. If you are riding or exercising or running on the road at night, please wear bright clothes and so forth. And not only that. If you have a bicycle, you should have it well-lit and have on proper reflectors so that these type of incident can be avoided."
Now while police warn cyclists and pedestrians about the road safety rules, Robinson's family says the police should really warn drivers to be more vigilant on the road. We spoke with Robinson's father and sister and they told us they don't believe the drivers account and that they want answers.
Sabrina Robinson, Sister of deceased
"He is a cautious rider, cautious. He don't take chances with his life. If he doesn't need to ride, he would not do it and I know that he was on the side of the road. The driver explained he saw him on the side of the road. So what happened, I cannot tell you. But I would like for him to tell the truth as to exactly what happened. We need to know as the family as to what happened. The story that he has given is not adding up."
Robert Robinson, Jason's father
"He was a good guy. He was a sports man. He played basketball, football and he was alright."
Emanuel Pech
"I understand he use to help you out in the restaurant?"
Robert Robinson, Jason's father
"Yes. I do the cooking outside by the fire hearth and he would come when I finish cook and bring in the pots and serve for me. At the end of the day after he finished serving, I would go and lay down to take a little rest. It's very hard to get over something like this, and the way how the thing happened that this big bus comes from nowhere and just take this guy off the side. It's really hard. It was a hard impact and I understand when they brought him down in the ambulance, he talked all the way and after they got here, he went into the operation room. But when she came about 4:30 in the morning, she told me that he didn't make it."
The family says Robinson was way on the side of the road - out of the heavy traffic. Robinson had no children. The driver of the Shaw's bus has been served with a notice of intended prosecution. On a final note, Police told us that immediately after the accident they had to send 8 officers on the scene to try and calm raging bus passengers and a few residents in the area.
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