Coast Guard Member Charged After Fatal Crash

Cayo Police have formally arrested and charged thirty-two-year-old Melvin Quischan of Bullet Tree Falls Village in connection with last Friday night’s fatal motorcycle accident in Santa Familia Village that claimed the life of his common-law wife, forty-nine-year-old Auria Ramos.  Quischan, who police say is a member of the Belize Coast Guard, has now been charged with driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit.  During a police press briefing today, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed the latest development in the investigation and outlined the charge that has since been levied against Quischan.

ASP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “Police have formally arrested and charged 33 year old Melvin Kishan of Bullet Tree Falls Village for the crimes of manslaughter by negligence and causing death by careless conduct, as well as the offenses of drove motor vehicle without due care and attention and failing to provide a specimen.” 

The charge comes days after investigators indicated that alcohol appeared to have been a major factor in the deadly crash.  Investigators say Quischan was driving a Lifan motorcycle with Ramos as his passenger when he reportedly lost control and veered off the road. Both sustained injuries during the crash, but Ramos later died while receiving treatment at the San Ignacio Community Hospital.