Tonight the family of 27 year-old Levert Lauriano is mourning his untimely passing after he wrapped his SUV around a tree last night, just before 7:00. It happened right next to Diamond Motel on the Phillip Goldson Highway, just before the Haulover Bridge. Lauriano was northbound to his Ladyville home after work. Police don't know what exactly went wrong while he was driving his White Honda Pilot SUV, but, he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into tree after jumping a drain. The impact sent his body flying out the windshield, and the when vehicle came to a stop, it ended up on top of him, killing him on the spot.
Today, we went searching for answers, and we spoke Police and one of his Mechanic colleagues from Ladyville. Here's what they had to say:
ASP Francisco Ack, Deputy OC, Police Precinct 4
"Police responded to information of a road traffic accident somewhere in the vicinity of Diamond Hotel on the Northern Highway. On arrival, police saw a white van on the left hand side of the road when travelling to Hallover Bridge which had apparently collided into a tree. Further investigation by the police revealed that the body of a male person was underneath the white van. The body was retrieved with the assistance of the fire personnel and the body was later identified to be Levert Lauriano. Initial investigation indicated that Lauriano was traveling from the direction of Pallotti High School to Hallover Bridge when he lost control of his motor vehicle and collided into the tree. He flung out of the vehicle, fell on the ground and the vehicle in turn landed on him which apparently caused his death. At this moment, we don't have the real cause of the accident, but we believe that speeding is a contributing factor to the accident."
Daniel Ortiz
"Is there anything any expert may have noticed to suggest that maybe he had some sort of mechanical problems with his vehicle?"
ASP Francisco Ack, Deputy OC, Police Precinct 4
"At this moment we are still continuing with our investigation. We are going to get the expert to tell us what may have caused the accident, if there was any mechanical failure on the vehicle which may have contributed to the accident."
Friend
"He does mechanic work with me, we work together and it's really kind of shocking. I don't really understand what's going on."
Daniel Ortiz
"What was he like as an individual? Was he jovial? Easy to talk to? Hardworking? What was he like?"
Friend
"He was hardworking, he worked for his money and everyday he liked to deal with vehicles. Every day he was into vehicles, fixing them, he works for all the mechanics, everyone who has a mechanic shop because he's really into vehicles."
Daniel Ortiz
"How long did you guys work together?"
Friend
"Like about 5 years."
Daniel Ortiz
"Was it a situation where you all became close as good friends?"
Friend
"Yes we hang out every day."
Today, we approached his Belize City family for an interview, but they told us that the pain of his sudden death was too fresh for them to discuss it publicly with us.
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