A man was crushed under his own truck in a freak accident. It happened this morning after 5:00 between Miles 13 and 14 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. 31 year old Ernest Garcia was northbound to Orange Walk when he lost control of his pickup, tumbled out the door and was raked along on the highway as the vehicle rolled along. Today at a press conference, police explained what led to Garcia's death.
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Ernest Garcia was well known for selling the freshest roadside coconut water. Almost every day, he would park his truck filled with coconuts along the Phillip Goldson Highway near Belama. But today instead of being parked at that favorite spot. It's in the Ladyvillle Police Station's parking lot under inspection.
That's after Garcia fell out of his truck while driving on the highway and got pinned and dragged under it. It's a bizarre accident and one police believe was caused by drunk driving and a damaged door.
ACP Edward Broaster - OC, Easter Division Rural
"We received information of a traffic accident between Miles 13 and 14 on the Philip Goldson Highway. When our police were dispatch to the area, they observed a white Dodge Ram pickup truck along with a single individual dressed in blue shirt who was lying face down alongside the vehicle. It is apparent that he was traveling from Belize City direction to Orange Walk when it is obvious that he lost control of his vehicle and was flung out the vehicle and dragged on the pavement where he succumb to his injuries. A closer inspection of the Dodge Ram revealed that the door was unable to shut close and we believe that alcohol may have been a factor in this case."
But regardless what the case is, the family has to live with the memory of their loved ones mangled body splayed on the highway.
Courtney Weatherburne
"I know you dont want to go into what happened, but that time you were called out to the scene, who told you what happened?"
Orin Garcia, Brother
"It was a man in a black truck this morning stopped and told me that my brother just got into an accident. I told him no, because he went with a load and when I went I saw it."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So when you went up there you saw your brother's body?"
Orin Garcia, Brother
"Yes, I found him dead on the ground."
Police told us that they will be taking a sample from Garcia's body to confirm if he was drunk at the time of the accident.
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