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PUP Rep Knocks Down Trial Farm Woman, She’s Critical
posted (April 4, 2016)
Last week, the major story in the news was the death of Gardenia Resident Dean Dawson Sr, who was knocked down by Government Press Office Director, Dorian Pakeman. Well, tonight, Jose Mai, who is the PUP's the Orange Walk South Area Representative, is the one under pressure after he knocked down Trial Farm Resident Julia Arana.

She survived, but the mother of the well-known elite cyclist Nissan Arana, is in a critical condition at the KHMH tonight. We've learned that it happened at around 8:00 on Friday night in Trial Farm Village, less than 24 hours after Hilberto Coyoc was knocked down and killed there.

Her family tells us that she was crossing the road when Mai knocked her down in his Toyota Hilux. We're told that she suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a concussion. She was bleeding from the head when she was rushed to the Northern Regional, and then further transferred to the KHMH.

This afternoon, Nissan Arana, spoke with us about her current medical status, and about the possible causes of the accident:

Nissan Arana, son of accident victim
"Well really and truly I don't know what really happened because I wasn't there. When they called me, she was already at the hospital in a bad critical condition - a punctured lungs, her ribs and hip damaged and she got a good knock in her head. Some people are saying that she jumped in front of the vehicle and I don't think she would do something like that. She doesn't have any family problems. I am the baby from the house who is 28 years old. I could maintained my mom and myself, so I don't think my mom would reach to do something like that. My mom would never do something like that."

Daniel Ortiz
"It could have been that she simply didn't see the vehicle coming, because she didn't check both sides. That's the version we've gotten, that she didn't cleared both lanes and ended up right in the path and she met Mr. Mai's Hilux at the same time."

Nissan Arana, son of accident victim
"As to what I have explained to you, I think in that area the driving speed should be within 20-25 miles an hour and I don't know how fast he was going, but I know he was going fast to get that knock. Just Thursday on that same block, about 20-30 yards, they knock down a person the same night, they go with a ball of speed - they don't respect that. Parents teach us to watch on both sides of the road, so I don't doubt she didn't do that."

"So far they haven't done anything to her yet until they take a CAT SCAN in about an hour and then they will tell us how she stands. A part from the punctured lungs and ribs - the ribs will heal back. What we are praying for is from the CAT SCAN we will see what they will tell us - what we will need to do. Right now, they cannot operate on her for her head, because she suffers from pressure and stuff."

"Honestly I feel very bad, like I didn't ever expect that to happen to my mom. Like what they say, everything happen for a reason. I just don't like see mom in that kind of condition - she cannot defend herself. I am here watching her and I can't do anything. I feel hopeless."

Julia's husband, told us that she was about one step from completely crossing the road when Mai's vehicle knocked her down. He asserts that Mai was driving fast.

As for Mai, today, he directed the media to speak to his attorney, Eamon Courtenay. He told us via email, quote, "Mr Mai continues to pray for the full recovery of Mrs Arana. As to the unfortunate accident, we have no comment to make at this time."

So, what do police investigators say happened? Our colleagues from CTV3 spoke with the Orange Walk Police commander, and here's what he told them:

ASP. Selvin Tillett, OC - Orange Walk Police
"A urine sample has been obtained from Mr. Abelardo Mai and he has been served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Police continues investigating into this issue."

Reporter
"Sir, did Mr. Abelardo Mai willingly accept to take that urine sample?"

ASP. Selvin Tillett, OC - Orange Walk Police
"He volunteered the sample, because when police asked, you either accept or refused. He willing gave the urine sample."

Reporter
"Our investigation is indicating Mr. Mai or the other party involved, if anyone of them were under the influence of alcohol as is being reported?"

ASP. Selvin Tillett, OC - Orange Walk Police
"At this moment I cannot say. We need to determine that via toxicology exam and that's the reason urine sample was taken from Mr. Mai to determine whether he was drinking or not and same should be done from victim."

Reporter
"Do we know what happened before the accident? Where was the victim before she crossed the Philip Goldson Highway?"

ASP. Selvin Tillett, OC - Orange Walk Police
"We are not positive, but apparently she was at a Chinese shop and she tried to run across the street. That's all I can tell you."

Reporter
"What charges could Mr. Mai be facing at this moment?"

ASP. Selvin Tillett, OC - Orange Walk Police
"It would be traffic offences, traffic related offences; driving without due care and attention, reckless driving and depending on the results of the toxicology results, driving under the influence. He stop and rendered aid, so that charge will not be available for him."

Julia Arana is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at the KHMH.

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