Police from the Rural Eastern Division also have to investigate a fatal traffic accident which happened yesterday in which a 7-month-old baby died. It happened at around 2 p.m. yesterday on Labour Day when 23 year-old Darrell Jackson, a resident of Belize City, was driving a Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV on the George Price Highway. He was carrying 7 other passengers, including 22 year-old Vidal Davis, 10-year Standford Casimiro, 19 year-old AJ Flores, Jermaine Wagner, Aldis Ferguson, Johlanie Ferguson, Esmay Ferguson, the 7-month-old baby.
At around mile 8, Jackson lost control of the vehicle and flipped over on the side of the road. All occupants suffered varying degrees of injuries but Baby Esmay's injuries claimed her life. Today, ASP Cocom told us that their investigation shows that Jackson was driving the vehicle with only a learner's permit:
ASP Juanito Cocom - OC, Ladyville Police
"On Labor Day May 1st, at about 2pm, Hattieville police were summoned to the scene of a road traffic accident at Mile 9 on the George Price Highway. Upon arrival they observed a green Mitsubishi Endeavor bearing license plates BCC-57209 on a ditch off the road. Initial investigation revealed that Darrell Jackson, a 23 year old Belizean laborer of Ivory Street Belize City was driving a 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor on the George Price Highway on the direction of Belize City towards Belmopan and upon reaching Mile 9, he lost control of the vehicle and overturned."
"Traveling with him were several people, including adults and minors. During the accident a 7 month old minor perished. Jackson is presently in our custody pending charges."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is this gentleman the holder of a license to drive motor vehicles?"
ASP Juanito Cocom - OC, Ladyville Police
"From the investigation we are gathering that he only has a learner's permit."
Police tell us that 2 of the accident victims remain in a critical condition at the KHMH at this time, and Darrell Jackson has been served with a notice of intended prosecution. We understand that he could be facing a number of criminal charges, including manslaughter by negligence, and failing to comply with the conditions of a learners permit. There was another accident this morning which claimed the life of a small child. In this case, a three year old girls was run over and we'll have that story coming up.
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