Transport CEO Blames Company for Fatal Highway Collision

Following that fatal collision, former Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is speaking out about the death of Officer Ponce, whom he says he knew well.  Ponce died in Saturday night’s collision on the George Price Highway involving a house being transported near Cotton Tree Village. Williams placed the blame squarely on the company moving the oversized load, raising concerns about the safety precautions taken during the journey.

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “I believe that the fact that the home mover did not comply with the requirement software the permit that he had received may have led to the accident that caused the life of the very good police man. I know Mr.Ponce very well. He’s a very good friend of mine. Whenever we would meet we’d always run joke. He’s just a cool guy. I personally I’m saddened by what took place with him. Certainly the Belize Police Department lost a very exceptional police man so I extend condolences to his family but I cannot accede to the fact that it is due to lack of enforcement. Because even for example if there was enforcement, enforcement would not be at every mile post on the highway. Enforcement would occur at a particular moment or a particular occasion and after that house would have left the enforcement area or whatever anything could happen. So it is something that we can say that motorists or persons who are issued to do certain permits to do certain things on the road that they comply with the requirements of the permit. And once that is done then it makes life easier for all.”

Williams’ comments come as the Belize Home Movers Group has also raised concerns about the move, including the lighting on the house and the decision to transport it on a Saturday night. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.