More than 7 years ago we told you about a terrible accident that happened between mile 88 and 89 on the Phillip Goldson highway.
Three people were injured, and we never really followed up. But in the aftermath of that accident, like so many others, at least two young women's lives were shattered. And, 7 years later, they still can't pick up all the pieces.
22 year old Doris Nah lost both her legs and and 37 year old Lillian Roches broke hers.
Today, Roches came to see us because all these years later, she still can't get compensated for all that she lost:
7NEWS REPORT, JANUARY 2013
"There was a three vehicle collision near the northern border. It happened between mile 88 and 89 AT 6:25 on a wet highway as night was falling."
"A BBOC bus driven by 47 year old Christino Rodriguez was travelling from the border to Corozal Town with 35 passengers when a minivan driven by Jeremias Garcia crashed into the back of the bus."
"Passengers from the bus walked out and two of them Doris Noh and Lillian Roches were knocked down when a third vehicle, a Subaru Legacy collided into the van."
"22 year old Doris Noh had both feet apparently broken and one 37 year old Lillian Roches received a large wound on the right foot."
That was 7 years ago, and today Lillian Roches still walks with a limp - not from a cut to her leg, but from a compound fracture:
Lillian Roches, Accident Victim
"My right foot was broken in 4 different places."
Today, she still has a hard time going back to that Friday night in January 2013:
Lillian Roches, Accident Victim
"I was on board a BBOC bus and it was drizzling the night of the accident...(she shakes her head)
Reporter
"It's hard for you to re-live it?"
Hard for her to re-live it, but what's harder is the fact that since the accident she hasn't gotten a cent - even after a half a million dollar award from the Supreme Court.
Lillian Roches, Accident Victim
"We went to court, we won the case, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ruled in favor for us, myself and the other young lady. It's been 7 years now and we haven't collected a dime."
She's looking to the driver who the lawsuit was against and her insurer, this company, Atlantic Insurance.
Lillian Roches, Accident Victim
"I visited the office and was told that they cannot reveal any information to me, the case is in the attorneys hand and its attorney with attorney dealing with the matter, but it's not the attorney who is suffering, it's me."
Suffering because she has a disability since the accident and cannot work.
Lillian Roches, Accident Victim
"It's hard for me to even get a job because of my disability and I have 2 little boys ages 6 and 9 years old."
The total award given by the former Chief Justice is 457 thousand dollars for Roches and 713 thousand dollars for Doris Nah. But the award is against the driver of the other vehicle who cannot pay, so, some degree of responsibility rests with the insurance company, Atlantic Insurance.
Roches's attorney Kevin Arthurs tells us that the matter is still being adjudicated for a final resolution.
Email
Print