Motorcyclist Clinging to Life After Ladyville RTA

A split second on a busy roadway has left a young man fighting for his life. Days after a violent collision near Sky Supermarket, twenty‑seven‑year‑old Rodwell Geban remains in a coma, clinging to survival. Police say the crash unfolded just before midday Friday as traffic moved toward Belize City. At the airport link road intersection, an SUV driven by forty‑seven‑year‑old Tashira Wagner began a left turn, at the same moment Geban, riding his motorcycle, tried to pass on the left. The move proved disastrous, triggering a brutal impact that has now upended multiple lives. Investigators have since served Wagner with a notice of intended prosecution, while Geban’s family waits anxiously for signs of recovery.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Police have served a notice of intended prosecution on 47-year-old Tashira Wagner as a consequence of an investigation into a road traffic accident, which has resulted in the injury of 27-year-old Rodwell Geban of Belize City. The investigation commence on Friday 27th, March at approximately 11:45 AM when officers attached to the Ladyville police formation were advised of a collision between a motorcycle and an SUV. What the investigation has suggested so far is that both Geban and Wagner were traveling on board their separate vehicles, namely Ms. Wagner on board an SUV and Mr. GeBan onboard a motorcycle in the direction of Ladyville to Belize City. It is suspected that Ms. Wagner sought to make a left turn into Sky’s Restaurant, sorry. And at that time, Mr. Geban may have been trying to overtake. This resulted in a collision which Mr. Geban has suffered several degrees of injuries for which he is now hospitalized in a critical condition.”

 

Ladyville Corridor Seeing Significant Increase in RTA’s

 

Police are still investigating the near‑fatal crash, but they’re also warning drivers about a growing problem on the Ladyville corridor. Officers say congestion and frustration from ongoing roadworks are fueling reckless driving, with police now responding to about two traffic accidents every day in the area. Tonight, authorities are stepping up patrols and rolling out mobile checkpoints, but they stress the real solution starts behind the wheel. ASP Stacy Smith explains.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“We do know that Ladyville has seen an increase in activity because for me it is an extension of the city and with all the hustle and bustle that comes along with it the propensity for incidents of such similarly exist. As a consequence of this, us as a department have tailored our operations in this regard. They are not stationary, no longer stationary checkpoints, but there are roving checkpoints that are done within these peak periods within which it is suspected that persons may be traveling under the influence, all with a view to deter. However, the onus remains on the individual drivers to take heed, pay attention and drive cautiously on the road, especially when it is that the weather conditions are not favorable or there are obstructions due to ongoing construction work.”

 

Police say they’re stepping up roving checkpoints along the Ladyville corridor to curb reckless driving fueled by congestion, but they stress safer roads ultimately depend on drivers slowing down and taking responsibility.

 

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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