7 News Belize

Man Killed in Head On Collision With Bus
posted (July 6, 2016)

A man was killed in a collision near Independence village. 48 year old Jose Majano was heading to Bella Vista last night after 7:00 when he slammed head on into a James Express bus. The bus took a hefty hit and Majano’s Wingle is barely recognizable. Today we traveled to Independence to find out what caused this fatal accident.

Jose Majano was well loved and respected in Independence Village. Although he was a full time electrician, he had another job, one which he loved, and that was to mentor the youth in the village and to always be available to lend a helping hand.

Gloria Munoz - Sister
"My brother was very loving you know caring about everyone, every nephew, every niece and neighbours and co-workers."

And last night, after work, in that same spirit of kindness and selflessness, Majano was giving his co-worker, 21 year old Kevin Zuniga a ride to his home in Bella Vista.

But he never made it to the village because he collided head on with a James Express Bus on the Savannah Road. The 7:30 James express was heading to PG and was to stop at the terminal about 6 minutes away but that is when Majano, coming in the opposite direction slammed into the bus while overtaking a horse and carriage.

OC Sherlet Ramclam - Independence
"The police went out there to check and see what occurred and when they went out there they found out that a Wingle maroon in colour was on the highway. Police initial investigation revealed that Mr. Majano was travelling from the direction of Independence to PG junction on the Savannah Road and on his way he came across a horse and carriage what the Mennonites use and he was about to overtake them and I don't know if unconsciously he didn't realise that the James bus a grey hound was coming in the opposite direction. And in that time he collided but before he collided into the bus he knocked the left wheel of the horse and carriage and then he swerved into the bus."

Majano was instantly killed. His front seat passenger Zuniga got head injuries while the driver of the James bus only got scratches on his arms.

The man on the cart, Cornelius Wall changed his mind about giving us a comment but told us he got an injury to his head.

Luckily the two bus passengers did not get life threatening injuries.

OC Sherlet Ramclam - Independence
"We also had two persons on the bus Ms. Barbia Rubio who received injury to her nose and then we had Ms. Jenelle Myvette who was complaining of numbness to the left side of her body she was also on the bus."

Back at the scene, the only remains after the massive impact were the shards of glass and chunks and pieces of vehicles parts scattered on the side of the road. But for Majano’s sister the real heart-breaking scene was her brother’s mutilated body at the Polyclinic.

Gloria Munoz - Sister
"I went to the polyclinic and I felt that I needed to go and be beside him which I know he was already dead right and it was terrible because I have to go with my mom and other two brothers and it was tragic; terrible, devastating and we're very broken."

Munoz told us that her brother could have still been alive if the police had implemented strict road safety measures and policies on that Savannah stretch.

Gloria Munoz - Sister
"We really want to know what the police will do about this. What will they do so that these things don't happen because during the weekend another accident happened, a life was taken and now my brother’s life is taken."

The police say they have been doing all they can to safeguard the highway for villagers and say they will continue to work with the community.

OC Sherlet Ramclam - Independence
"We are noticing that in this area we are having a lot of traffic accidents. The police is doing as much as it can. We have been doing a series of stop and check, check points and we have a series of people going to the court for no license, no insurance, no helmet. We are trying our best because we found out that in this area it is mostly traffic accident and so for this month we are planning to go into the village and sensitize people about traffic safety and different thing we can do so; we'll be able to have less of these tragic incident on the road."

But now, no new police and community efforts on the road will bring Majano back. His close friend told us that all they can hold on to are the pleasant memories of him.

Jimmy Maldonado - Friend
"Well Jose use to work close with all poor people, he use to help people in Trio, Georgetown, Maya Mopan, Santa Rosa. He always try to help anybody, he has a lot of friends he is an affectional person so that what is what I can say about him. He used to work together with everybody."

Majano leaves behind 2 kids, one is only 3 months old. Police say that there are no indications that the bus driver was at fault. As for Zuniga, who was Majano’s passenger, he was injured to the head and leg and is expected to recover after surgery.

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