Grief Unites Two Families After Fatal Motorcycle Collision

Two families from Cotton Tree Village and Belmopan are grappling with unimaginable grief tonight, after losing two teenagers who were as close as brothers. Seventeen-year-old Axel Cho and fifteen-year-old Jonathan Milan spent what turned out to be their final day the way they always had, together. Their families, now leaning on each other for strength, say the boys’ friendship had been unbreakable since their first form days. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A heartbreaking tragedy has left two families, one in Cotton Tree Village and the other in Belmopan, mourning the loss of two teenage boys whose friendship was as solid as it was inseparable. On Saturday, seventeen‑year‑old Axel Cho and fifteen‑year‑old Johnathan Milan spent the day together, like they always did. But on the ride to take Johnathan home, everything changed in an instant. An eighteen‑wheeler oil tanker slammed into their motorcycle in front of The Mall Gas Station, cutting their young lives short. This morning, Axel’s mom and Johnathan’s aunt leaned on each other, trying to piece together how such a routine moment turned tragic so quickly.

 

Matilda Cho, Mother of Deceased

“Right now we the try gather information, they have me and Ms. Jaqueline up and down. We come to this Roaring Creek Police Station the ask and they told us they don’t have any details, we have to wait for one specific officer. We called the officer and he is not answering our calls. They sent us to the main branch in Belmopan they sent us this side. This side sent us back that side and here we are again, they got us up and down. We nuh get no information if the guy get locked up, if they get any urine sample for us to see if he is intoxicated or anything, nothing.”

 

Earlier today, we heard from police about the incident. ASP Stacy Smith told reporters that a notice of intended prosecution has been issued to the driver of the truck.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“It is reported and alleged that Cho made his way unto the Highway in the vicinity of mile forty-three and that is when a collision occurred between that motorcycle and a truck travelling to Belmopan. The drive sought to avoid the collision however the tail end of the bowser made contact with the motorcycle, causing the demise of both individuals. A notice of intended prosecution has been issued to the driver of the truck and samples have been extracted from him.”

 

The motorbike the teens were riding didn’t appear to have any damage, and the truck looked untouched as well. But their helmets were shattered, showing just how severe the head injuries were.

 

Voice of: Jacqueline Milan, Aunt of Deceased

“I always see the news and I never once expected how hard it would hit. Now that I have experienced something like that we are one small family but I love my niece and nephews. Everybody right now, we can’t even explain how we feel.”

 

Matilda Cho

“They are best friends from first form. Jonathon was happy to see Axel on Saturday. They were happy to spend time. He just tell me ma, you all go together, me and my boys, I will stay with Johnathan. And that hurts that he told me those words. I don’t know what was the cause or my they went that side and why they borrowed a cycle. I wish I knew, I wish I knew.”

 

The grieving mother and aunt say no words can capture how deeply this loss cuts. Jonathan, a former Belmopan Comprehensive student, was a cheerful teen who loved training horses. Axel, a third‑former at the same school, was on track to graduate with the class of 2027.

 

Jacqueline Milan

“He was a vibrant, very smart boy, love horses, he was just a fun and loving baby.”

 

Matilda Cho

“My son was my love, my first love. He raised me. I had him at a young age and he become the person to mold me into what I am right now. Everyday we would tell me mom you strong, I want to be like you, I want to be better than you.”

 

The Belmopan Comprehensive High School is hosting a vigil on Tuesday evening in honor of both victims. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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