Cayo Crash Leaves 23-Year-Old Man Dead in Three-Vehicle Collision

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of a 23-year-old man in the Cayo District last night.  Authorities say that around 7:45 p.m., they received reports of a three-vehicle collision along the George Price Highway between miles 71 and 72, in the vicinity of San Ignacio Town.  When officers arrived at the scene, they observed a gold Toyota Camry with extensive damage to the driver’s side, positioned in the middle of the highway. Inside the vehicle was the motionless body of Jose Bautista of San Jose Succotz Village, who was pronounced dead at the scene.  Also involved in the accident was a yellow, Blue Bird bus driven by 22-year-old Bryant Kerr of Benque Viejo Town, and a red Toyota Corolla taxi driven by 24-year-old Roynell Naj of San Ignacio Town.  Preliminary investigations suggest that Bautista was traveling from west to east when his vehicle reportedly swerved into the path of the oncoming bus, resulting in a collision. The force of the impact then led to a secondary collision involving the taxi, which was traveling behind the bus.  ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for the Belize Police Department, outlined how the incident unfolded and confirmed Bautista’s death.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “The ongoing investigation commenced on Monday 6 April at around 7: 45pm when police were alerted of a traffic accident involving two cars and a bus between Miles 71 and 72 on the George Price Highway. The officers reported that upon arriving at the scene they observed a gold Toyota Camry car which was extensively damaged and inside that vehicle behind at the driver’s seat was the unresponsive body of a male person learned to be Bautista. Also observed on the scene was a bluebird bus which showed damage to the front driver’s side and a red Toyota Corolla which also showed damage to the front driver’s side. What the investigation has so far suggested is that Bautista was traveling in a west to east direction and the other two vehicles being the bus and the Toyota Corolla were coming in the opposite direction. It is alleged that the vehicle that Bautista was driving veered into the lane of the bus causing a collision with the bus and the Corolla which was traveling immediately behind the bus. Urine samples have been collected from the driver of the bus and the other vehicle and they have both been served with notices of intended prosecution.”

Police say Bautista died on impact. A passenger in his vehicle, identified as Derwin Bautista, sustained minor injuries.  Investigators also reported that a bag containing beers was found inside the Camry.  However, police say there is no indication that the drivers of the bus or taxi were under the influence. Both individuals were transported to the San Ignacio Community Hospital, where they provided samples for routine testing.  Love News understands that due to limited capacity at western morgues, Bautista’s body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital morgue in Belize City.  Meanwhile, both the Camry and the taxi have been impounded pending mechanical inspection, and notices of intended prosecution have been issued as police continue their investigations into the fatal crash./