Police Close in on Driver After Belize City Hit-and-Run Injures Five

Police say they are making significant progress in their investigation into a hit-and-run incident that left five people injured at a food stall in Belize City over the weekend.  The disturbing collision occurred Saturday night at around 8:20 p.m. at the corner of Euphrates Avenue and Cemetery Road, an area where a popular pupusa stand operates. Surveillance footage circulating online shows a sedan travelling from Mosul Street onto Cemetery Road before making a sudden wide right turn into Euphrates Avenue. During the maneuver, the vehicle slammed into the food stall and several persons gathered nearby.  At least two individuals were struck directly while others were injured amid the chaos. Although the cart itself remained standing, ingredients and items were scattered across the street as customers fled. The driver then straightened the vehicle, continued along Euphrates Avenue and turned onto King Street without stopping to render assistance.  Police later received a formal report from a 54-year-old vendor, Stanley Ponce, who told officers the vehicle, described as a dark red sedan, knocked down a customer and hit multiple persons waiting to purchase food before fleeing the scene.  Among the injured was,ear-old Gerald Morris, an accountant, who suffered abrasions to his arm and leg and was treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Another victim, 29-year-old Dilicia Hernandez, reported abdominal pain. Several others also sustained varying degrees of injuries.  Investigators have since reviewed surveillance footage and gathered statements, and authorities say they are very close to identifying and apprehending the driver responsible.