Transport CEO Says House Mover May Have Broken Permit Rules in Ponce Crash 

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport Chester Williams says the operator transporting a house involved in Saturday night’s fatal traffic accident on the George Price Highway may have violated permit requirements.

The Department of Transport (DoT) is also acknowledging challenges with highway enforcement as police investigate the collision that killed Police Sergeant Jovanni Ponce.

According to Williams, the house being transported was larger than the permitted width for a house moved intact.

“From what I have been told, is that the house in question that was being moved is 30 feet by 40 feet, which would be a clear violation of the rules,” Williams said.

According to Williams, houses moved intact must not exceed twenty feet in width. He said houses wider than that must either be transported in portions or moved intact under additional requirements.

Williams also said the operator’s alleged failure to comply with the conditions of the permit may have contributed to the crash.

“I believe that the fact that the home mover did not comply with the requirements of the permit that he had received may have led to the accident that cost the life of the very good policeman,” he said.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash Involving Truck Carrying House

Williams acknowledged that enforcement remains a challenge for the DoT. He said the department is waiting for the Ministry of Finance to create and fund additional positions that would allow it to recruit more personnel.

“We are hoping to reach where we want to be with the amount of staff that has been approved for us by Cabinet,” Williams said.

Williams says additional staff would help the DoT establish a twenty-four-hour presence on the highway to monitor compliance. Williams said the department cannot always rely on police support because officers have other responsibilities.

Williams also said officials discussed requiring movers to contact the DoT before each movement so inspections could take place, even when operators hold an annual permit.

Ronny Plett of Plett’s Home Builders, a member of the Belize Home Movers group, said the incident was devastating for the industry. Plett said the operator may not have fully complied with existing safety requirements but added that the investigation should establish what happened.

Plett said that, to his understanding, Barry Espat, the driver identified by police as the truck operator, was not involved in the group’s discussions. He said the group had discussed safety measures with the DoT earlier this year, including flashing lights on escort vehicles and the house, as well as spotlights to improve visibility.

Plett defended nighttime house moves, saying his company prefers them because of lighter traffic. He said the group generally avoids weekend moves because of the added risks on the road.

“We try to avoid weekends because of the traffic, and you have a lot of people who are tired, people coming from parties and events,” Plett said.

Police continue to investigate the collision, reviewing video footage and examining other evidence.