Belize City Driver Charged in Fatal Philip Goldson Highway Accident

A Belize City mechanic and supervisor has been charged in connection with last week’s fatal traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. Fifty-eight-year-old Gregory Nicholas appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today, where he was read charges of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, and driving without due care and attention. No plea was taken because the charges are indictable.  The charges stem from an accident on August 27 that claimed the life of 77-year-old Erlene Elizabeth Gillett of Burrell Boom Village. Police say Nicholas was driving a Dodge Caravan toward Belize City when Gillett reportedly stepped from the highway divider and into the vehicle’s path near Enrique Martinez and Sons Limited. She was struck and died from her injuries. A post-mortem examination later certified the cause of death as multiple blunt-force trauma injuries resulting from the traffic accident.  The prosecution did not object to bail, and Nicholas was released on six thousand dollars bail plus one surety in the same amount. He must surrender his passport, obtain the court’s permission before leaving the jurisdiction, and report to the Belama Police Station every other Friday. Nicholas is scheduled to return to court on October 9 for disclosure.