Jury Convicts Marvin Cal in Deadly Burrell Boom Road Crash

A High Court jury has found Marvin Cal guilty of causing the death of Oscar Rhodas by careless driving following a fatal crash on the Burrell Boom–Hattieville Road in November 2023. The nine-member jury deliberated for just over two hours before unanimously agreeing that Cal was the driver of a white Ford Ranger pickup that was speeding and swerving moments before the deadly collision. Cal had denied being behind the wheel, insisting he was only a passenger. Evidence presented by the prosecution painted a different picture. Witnesses testified that Cal overtook a bus at high speed, lost control, and crashed into a grey Dakota pickup towing a trailer. Rhodas, who was riding in the pan of Cal’s truck, was thrown from the vehicle and died on the spot. First responders told the court they found Cal trapped behind the steering wheel, pinned by the crash and later freed using the Jaws of Life. Medical evidence confirmed Rhodas died from massive head injuries caused by the impact. Justice Derrick Sylvester revoked Cal’s bail and remanded him to the Belize Central Prison pending sentencing on June sixteenth, 2026. The court has ordered victim impact, social inquiry, and antecedent reports ahead of mitigation submissions. Cal now faces up to two years in prison or a possible fine, depending on sentencing considerations.

 

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.

 

Watch the full newscast here: