Belize Coast Guard Mourns Loss of Seaman Gianna Vanegas After Motorcycle Accident

Over the weekend, the Belize Coast Guard seaman, 25-year-old Gianna Vanegas, lost her life after being hospitalized for over a week. On November 30, Vanegas lost control of her motorcycle while traveling on the George Price Highway. She sustained severe injuries and was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Vanegas then spent six days in an induced coma in the intensive care unit. However, despite efforts to save her, the sailor was pronounced brain-dead on Friday after being taken for medical attention in Mexico. This morning, our newsroom spoke to the acting Vice-Commandant of the BCG, Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo, about Vanega’s unfortunate passing.

Lt.Com.Alma Pinelo, AG,Vice Commandant, Belize Coast Guard: “She unfortunately suffered a severe head trauma due to her motorcycle accident the 30th which I think was last week Saturday. She was in the hospital and we tried to get some more inclusive and more advanced examinations done so we got her airlifted to Mexico City on Friday and she was taken to Mexico to do some angiograms and some other resonance to be able to confirm exactly the level of brain activity. Unfortunately the examination showed what we feared, that she was in fact brain dead so we had to bring her back and that was on Saturday and unfortunately there was no more that we could do, we tried everything and we had give her back to the KHMH on Saturday and then her family was able to say their last goodbyes and now we are in the process of planning a funeral.”

Reporter: Is the BCG maybe looking to start maybe its own little campaign within the force to speak about safe driving ? 

Lt.Com.Alma Pinelo, AG,Vice Commandant, Belize Coast Guard: “Yes it’s something we have been discussing even ongoing while she was in the hospital , about the importance of having care and attention on the road, about the importance of using all those things that could safeguard your life like seatbelts, like using helmets if you’re on a motorcycle. I mean everybody is responsible and has the responsibility to be careful on the road. Obviously the amount of tragic losses has been very sobering especially with this last accident. “ 

Vanegas had been a member of the BCG for one year. During her graduation in 2023, she was awarded the Best Female Award of her class.