A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on San Andres Street in Orange Walk Town over the weekend. What began as a peaceful Saturday night for one family quickly turned into a nightmare. Shirley Bell had just returned home from church and stepped outside for some fresh air when she heard a vehicle speeding down the street. Moments later, that same vehicle struck her son, Steven Bell, and his girlfriend, who were riding a motorcycle just outside their home. Steven died at the scene. His girlfriend was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where she remains hospitalized. The driver of the SUV, Heidi Chan, has since been served with a notice of intended prosecution, signaling that formal charges may soon follow. Tonight, we hear from a grieving mother, eyewitnesses, and police investigators as the community searches for answers in the wake of this devastating loss.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Shirley Bell had just returned home from a church service and stepped outside to enjoy the evening air. But what she heard next would change her life forever—a vehicle speeding down San Andres Street, its engine roaring through the night.
Voice of: Shirley Bell, Mother of Deceased
“When I hyah da vehicle di cohn unda speed, I seh mein da who di drive soh crazy? And by the time I look soh da because ih done knock dehn from back on, right.”
She couldn’t have imagined that the very sound she heard was the same vehicle that would moments later strike her son and his girlfriend, who were riding a motorcycle just outside their home.
Shirley Bell
“Ah sih when di person fly up and drop. I neva know da mi son. Da when wahn next bwai pass and tell mi, “Mommy, da Steven.” When I run, and he run out, ih di tek ih last breath. And di next gial weh mi deh pan di cycle, di owner ah di cycle ih knock ahn before ih knock she way eena di corna.”
The impact was devastating. Her son, Steven Bell, lost his life at the scene. His girlfriend was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where she remains hospitalized. Neighbors and loved ones are still reeling from the shock, and questions remain about what led to the deadly crash.
Shirley Bell
“Di girlfriend, ih knock ahn eena di corner and she stuck eena di big cement drain. So dehn had to tek she out and put ahn eena ambulance and ker ahn, but all da while my son, ih noh mi di move cause ih dead pan di spot. Ih entire, ih whole body bruk up.”
Police investigations are ongoing.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“The police responded to the scene of an accident on San Andres Street in Orange Walk Town where Mr. Bell was observed in an unresponsive state and exhibiting varying degrees of injury to the body. Also observed in the area that was designated as the scene of the accident was a Lifan motorcycle which bore damages and an SUV. What the investigators have so far ascertained is that Bell was the pillion rider of the motorcycle when the collision occurred between that cycle and an SUV.”
In the wake of the fatal crash, Heidi Chan has been served with a notice of intended prosecution. This legal notice signals that authorities are preparing to formally charge Chan in connection with the incident.
Shirley Bell
“Dehn done come and tek statement and thing because I tell dehn I mi deh out ya when ih happen and di lawyer just come. Ih seh dat dehn wahn tek care ah di funeral and thing, but ih still leff to be seen.”
Police investigations are ongoing, and we’ll continue to follow this story closely as more details emerge. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
