7 News Belize

Broken Tie Rod Causes Woman’s Death
posted (May 26, 2016)
A traffic accident in the North yesterday claimed the life of 55 year old Elba Gongora, a resident of Orange Walk Town. It happened around 4:30 when Gongora, accompanied by two others, was driving a rented Kia Sportage on the San Felipe Road. Near the entrance to the village, Gongora lost control and flipped several times. Elba Gongora was flung out of the vehicle in the process. She sustained severe injuries and died on the spot. But just what caused the vehicle to flip in the first place? Well police believe that a broken "tie-rod" might have been the source of the problem. The deputy commander of Orange Walk Police Inspector Nicholas Palomo told us more.

Insp. Nicholas Palomo, Deputy OC, Orange Walk Police
"Upon our arrival, on the left side of the road, police observed a blue KIA Sportage with an Orange Walk license plate with extensive damages. The windshield was broken and at the top of the KIA was damaged; the front bumper was off. About 3 feet from the KIA Sportage there was the lifeless body of a female who was later identified as Elda Gongora, a resident of Belize Corozal Road in Orange Walk Town. Initial investigations was that Miss Gongora was travelling from the direction of Orange Walk heading to San Felipe. Upon reaching the curve, she lost control of the vehicle and flipped several times. There were other occupants in the vehicle, Luis Briceno who was also a resident of Orange Walk, he suffered injuries to his leg. Also Amalia Cocom, a female resident of Yo Creek, she suffered minor scratches. Police visited and inspected the vehicle and saw that one of the tie-rods of the vehicle had broken off."

As for the other two occupants of the vehicle Amalia Cocom escaped with minor injuries while Louis Briceño remains at the KHMH in a critical condition. Reports are that he sustained two broken legs and has since undergone surgery. As for Elba Gongora, she has no children but is survived by her husband. Family members also say that Gongora will always be remembered as a hard working independent woman.

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