Motorcycle Crash Claims Life of 17-Year-Old in Southern Belize

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in southern Belize that has claimed the life of a 17-year-old minor.  The incident occurred yesterday evening at around six o’clock along the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway between miles 43 and 44. Officers responded to reports of a collision and, upon arrival, observed a yellow passenger bus parked on the roadside, along with the motionless body of a male individual nearby. A damaged Lifan motorcycle was also found several feet away.  Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus, driven by 40-year-old Hector Ramon Ortiz, was travelling in a westerly direction when he attempted to make a left turn at an intersection leading into the Catacama area. At that same time, a motorcycle carrying two riders reportedly attempted to overtake the bus.  Authorities say the motorcycle collided into the left front portion of the bus. The driver of the motorcycle was thrown from the vehicle and ended up underneath the bus, where he was dragged a short distance.  The deceased has been identified as 17-year-old Jessler Guiniel Tzot, a resident of Bella Vista Village. His passenger, identified as Miguel Zepta, was also on the motorcycle at the time of the collision.