Fatal Hummingbird Highway Accident Claims Young Life

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of twenty-two-year-old Madeline Mendez of Roaring Creek Village, Cayo District. The crash happened early this morning along mile thirty-two on the Hummingbird Highway, where officers found an overturned vehicle with four occupants. Mendez later died while receiving treatment at the Western Regional Hospital. Investigators say the group was returning from a party when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Authorities are now looking into whether alcohol or drugs played a role. Here’s more from Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith on what they’ve uncovered so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What the investigators have ascertained so far is that the vehicle was being driven at the time by one Jalen Thompson. And they were coming from the south. After going to a party, we are told and sometime whilst approaching mile thirty-two, Mr. Thompson lost control of the motor vehicle causing it to overturn. The investigators have secured a urine sample from Mr. Thompson with a view to establishing whether or not alcohol or drugs played a role in this incident. And he has also been served with a notice of intended prosecution.”