Mauricio Solis Laid to Rest After Fatal Chiquibul Road Accident

Forty-nine-year-old Mauricio Solis was laid to rest today, almost one week after he was killed in a workplace-related traffic accident on the Chiquibul Road, Cayo District.  The San Ignacio resident and Bulridge employee was travelling as a passenger in a dump truck near the Guacamallo Bridge on September 3. Police say the truck was towing a trailer carrying a grader when it developed mechanical problems while ascending a hill.  The vehicle reportedly rolled backwards, overturned and flung Solis from the cab. He became pinned beneath the truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police Staff Officer, Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith, explained the preliminary findings.

ASP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “The Belize Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mauricio Solis which occurred shortly before midday on Thursday, 3 September, on the Chiquibull Road in the vicinity of Guacamayo Bridge. Initial investigation revealed that Solis was a passenger on a dump truck which was towing a trailer that was carrying a grader that was fastened to the bed of that trailer. While the driver was attempting to ascend a hill, the truck reportedly experienced mechanical difficulties causing it to roll backwards. The driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle which overturned. During the incident Solis was flung from the truck and became pinned underneath it. He sustained severe injuries and was subsequently pronounced dead. Police processed the scene and have comments investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A file is currently being compiled and upon completion it will be forwarded to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for directives therefrom.”

Bulridge clarified that the truck, trailer and heavy equipment belonged to Bahadur Trucking and Backhoe Service, a private contractor hired to work in the area. The company says Solis was on duty and accompanying the contractor to the worksite, but no Bulridge employee was operating the equipment.  Police are compiling a file that will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for instructions.