7 News Belize

Former UDP Politician Penner Kills Man In Traffic Accident
posted (June 26, 2017)
The Cayo District had another traumatic weekend with the murder of a 21 year old, the worry over a 24 year old who is missing and presumed dead, and a fatal accident which killed a 41 year old.

We start with the accident - because the man accused of knocking down and killing 41 year old Kenrick Myvette is one of the most notorious politicians in recent history. It's Elvin Penner and Myvette's family believe that after causing the death of their loved one on Friday night, police gave him special treatment - an injustice added to their loss and grief. Daniel Ortiz found out more today:..

Daniel Ortiz reporting
It was here on the George Price Highway, in front of the Running W Meats branch, that Elvin Penner knocked down the 41 year-old Unitedville resident, Kenrick Myvette. On Friday, Myvette was riding his motorcycle, heading back home from San Ignacio Town. He had only gotten a few miles outside of the twin towns when Penner ran into him. Police say that Penner was trying to overtake another vehicle, when he collided head-on with Myvette and his motorcycle.

We found the wreckage of the motorbike at the San Ignacio Police Station, and clearly showed that the impact was massive. Myvette's body was hurled into the air, and when he hit the ground, he suffered severe head and body injuries. He died a few hours later while undergoing treatment at the KHMH.

ASP Daniel Itche - Deputy OC, San Ignacio Police
"Elvin Penner, 45 years old Belizean public relation officer of Koop Sheet Metal residing at #14 10th Street San Ignacio Town, reported that he was driving his dark green Ford Excursion vehicle. Upon reaching in front of Running W Meats, he saw a red color minivan traveling ahead of him at a slow pace. He began to overtake the minivan and whilst reaching parallel to the van, he saw a motorcycle coming in the opposite direction. He swerve to his right to avoid a collision. As a result he collided into the left side of the red minivan and the motorcycle collided onto the left front portion of his vehicle."

Today, when we caught up Myvette's Unitedville family, they were still trying to process his sudden passing.

Jessica Bahadur - Niece of Deceased
"To be honest I feel like it is a bad dream, but it's not, its reality. I feel it worse because I was just with my uncle that same day."

Shadelle Myvette - Cousin of Deceased
"My little God sister is only 3 years old. She does not know that her father passed away. She is asking us for her father and we keep telling her he is at work or he is at home. We can't face her and tell her her father passed away."

Wilford Myvette - Brother of Deceased
"It burns my heart bad, because my brother didn't do anything."

Sherlene Myvette - Family Member
"We could have never see our family again whole. The man is in pieces, like they took a machete and cut up this man. How can a vehicle do that? It very much hurts. Everyone who could pray, please pray for us."

The family told us that Penner lured them into a false sense of security, leading them to believe that he had a fighting chance.

Jessica Bahadur - Niece of Deceased
"When we reach in Belize City, my uncle was already dead. My uncle had a big cut on his face. Two or three chop to his mouth. A big cut in his head and his chest bones were broken up. His hands and feet were broken up. From his ankle to his toes came off completely. It wasn't a pretty site. My uncle didn't hurt anyone to deserve that."

"Then they still have the heart to tell us that my uncle will be okay and that nothing happened to him."

Daniel Ortiz
"Them who ma'am?"

Jessica Bahadur - Niece of Deceased
"Mr. Penner and the police say nothing bad happened to him. They say they just took him there for treatment."

So, who is at fault for this accident?

ASP Daniel Itche
"From the investigations point of view, Mr. Penner is at fault. There is no indication that he was under the influence of alcohol, but we still asked him to provide a urine specimen as part of our investigation."

Reporter
"Was the motorcycle working, in terms of light all of that so that the driver could have seen that this motorcycle was coming in the opposite direction?"

ASP Daniel Itche
"Yes."

Daniel Ortiz
"Why is it that police have delayed (so to speak) in charging, if you all are sufficiently certain that Mr. Penner, from the investigation perspective, is at fault for this accident?"

ASP Daniel Itche
"We are awaiting the result of post mortem examination that is being conducted at this time."

Jessica Bahadur - Niece of Deceased
"I believe Penner has the fault, because my uncle was on right side of the road coming home. Penner was on the left side of the road going to Cayo. He has no right to be on the ride side of the road and he just bounce my uncle off the road. He says he was still going and if he didn't see the vehicles behind him stop, he wouldn't have stop."

This grieving family is dissatisfied with the way police initially treated Penner, the man who was driving the vehicle which killed their loved one. They say that he was treated with special consideration. Plus, Penner is already the former UDP Elected Politician whom the general public just loves to hate.

Jessica Bahadur
"It was a local citizen in Belize, they would have already chain us and got us behind bars like dog like they always do. But just because is a former minister and has money, they can get him out on the streets. It doesn't work like that."

Shadelle Myvette
"Penner is out here free. Our family is not satisfy with this. From the accident happened, he should have been held."

But, police say that Penner is being treated the same way that other civilians are when they are involved in fatal traffic accidents. As a matter of fact, police expect to charge him with manslaughter by tomorrow.

ASP Daniel Itche
"We await the results of the post mortem examination. I spoke to certain members of the deceased family and I explain this to them. It is expected that he will be charged for manslaughter tomorrow."

So, as you heard, Myvette was heading home from San Ignacio on last Friday night. He went to collect his pay. Penner, who was heading to his San Ignacio home, was coming from the other direction. He had just finished his day's work at his family's Koop Sheet Metal Company in Spanish Lookout.

We visited Penner and he declined comment saying he would issue a written statement which we're still waiting for.

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