Fatal Crash on San Narciso Road Leaves Family Mourning… And Skeptical

In San Roman Village, Corozal, the Carias family is mourning the death of fifty-two-year-old, Gilberto Carias Tolico. The crash on the San Narciso Road involved a Chevy Tracker driven by Robert Teck and Tolico riding a motorcycle. An investigation into this fatal encounter has been launched, but Tolico’s family is not satisfied with the preliminary findings. Giovanna Moguel reports.

Giovanna Moguel, Love FM News: A road crash between a Chevy Tracker and a motorcycle has claimed the life of a man, leaving his family and community in mourning. The collision occurred in the north late Saturday evening, as 52-year-old Gilberto Carias Tolico was riding his motorcycle towards San Victor Village and collided head-on with a black Tracker, driven at the time by 47-year-old Robert Teck, a resident of San Victor. Police Press Officer, Fitzroy Yearwood, explains.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer, Belize Police Department: “It is believed by investigators so far that the motorcycle may have collided head on into the tracker and the driver received severe head and body injuries and was pronounced dead on the spot. The body of Gilberto Tolico now awaits a post mortem at the Corozal Community Hospital. Robert Teck was detained by Corozal Police. We know that a notice of intended prosecution was served on him. Officers made a sketch plan on the scene. Investigators indicated that the motorbike is believed to have crossed into the lane of the tracker.”

Giovanna Moguel, Love FM News: But, the incident has sparked concerns about bias in the ongoing investigation. The incident has left Gilberto’s family distraught, with his son, Elder Carias expressing concerns that the investigation may be biased due to Teck’s ties to the community.

Elder Carias, Son of Deceased: “They’re saying he collided no one really knows because what my family members who were at the scene the night are saying that his motorcycle and his body were on his side of the road but the tracker seemed to be shifted to his side of the street also to a certain angle which made it seem that they turned into him sort of and all we’re wanting is we’re not saying it’s the other people’s fault or it’s his fault we just really want to know what happened.”

Giovanna Moguel, Love FM News: Gilberto resides in Caye Caulker and owns a set of rental properties. But, he frequently visits Corozal to see his mother in San Roman Village and his common-law wife in San Victor Village. Elder says his father will be remembered for his jovial and upbeat personality.

Elder Carias, Son of Deceased: “My dad was always someone who was always happy. He could be in the deepest of trouble or the saddest of moments but the minute he sees you he would give you a big smile or he wants a hug, he wanted to hug everybody so you know that’s what we wil remember and like for example the last day he spent here with my grandma and them they actually took a last picture of him where he asked because he used to like to take pictures, he wants pictures and he likes to post pictures on social media of himself and you know whatever he was doing he’d want to post it and he was just here having fun that day and no one was expecting to happen but we know that’s a part of life and stuff happens.”

Giovanna Moguel, Love FM News: Elder stated that his family is looking for justice to prevail, and they are worried that the police officers from San Victor Village may be inclined to side with Teck due to his local connections. 

Elder Carias, Son of Deceased: “As far as we’ve heard the officers that are dealing with the case or that dealt with the case that night were all from the village of San Victor and you know we just believe that them being officers from San Victor they might have known this guy to a certain degree and even if whosoever is incharge of the case will say “Oh we’re not being biased we’re being professional.” I feel like as a human being if I have a friend and my friend committed something there’s going to be a certain degree that I might want to try to help my friend. I’m not saying the person will but I’m just saying me as a human being I think I’d try to help my friend because you know you don’t really know maybe my friend is saying “Oh he did it.” and you know but like I said I’m not blaming the other person, I’m not saying “Oh he did it.” but we just want the investigation to be a real investigation.”

Giovanna Moguel, Love FM News: As the investigation into the incident continues, the family of the deceased is urging authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served. As the community comes together to mourn the loss of Gilberto, it is hoped that justice will be served, and those responsible for this terrible incident will be held accountable. Giovanna Moguel for Love News.