Teen Cyclist Killed in Highway Crash Near Lords Bank

Police are investigating a fatal road traffic incident that claimed the life of a teenage boy along the Philip Goldson Highway yesterday evening.  The victim has been identified as sixteen-year-old Alex Griffith, a resident of Lords Bank, Belize District.  Preliminary information indicates that shortly after five o’clock, Griffith was riding his bicycle along the highway near the intersection with Marage Road when he reportedly lost control near the edge of the pavement. He is said to have slipped and veered into the path of an oncoming bus operated by Tillett Bus Line out of Orange Walk, which subsequently ran him over.  The bus was driven at the time by 26-year-old Jonathan German Ek of Palmer Road,  Orange Walk.  When Love News arrived at the scene, police had already cordoned off the area as investigators processed evidence. The teenager’s body remained on the roadway while officers directed traffic along the busy highway.  Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, provided initial details on the incident as investigations continue.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: “Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of a male person. Information is that this person was riding a bicycle when he lost control, he fell on the street and he was run over by a Tillett bus that was being driven by Jonathan Eck. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An investigation is being carried out into this fatal accident.”

Reporter: Will the driver be charged since he literally fell in the path of the bus? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: “A thorough investigation will be conducted, the file will be sent to the DPP, then we will await the directives. Full investigation will be carried out. The information that he was heading home on a bicycle.”

Reporter: Would speeding have also played a role in this?

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: “The investigation will determine that. That is all information we have at this time.”

Reports are that Griffith had only recently begun working with Miller Sanitation and was on his way to a barber at the time of the tragic incident.