By Belize Live News Staff: A Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldier sustained minor injuries last Thursday after a military pickup truck ran over him in the Price Barracks compound in Ladyville. The incident occurred as the soldier was returning to his quarters in the early hours, following a regimental dinner.
According to Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the BDF, the soldier appeared to have “fallen asleep on the road” as he was walking back to his room. Loria explained, “The officer was trying to walk back to his room, but for some reason, he fell asleep on the road. It’s an area that is poorly illuminated, and there were a slew of vehicles that were trafficking back to their bedrooms to sleep, and it so happens that one of those vehicles ran him over.”
The soldier, whose name was not disclosed, reportedly suffered only minor injuries and is currently recuperating at home. “I don’t know what he is made of, but he did survive,” Loria remarked. “He was run over properly by a pickup truck, and he is at home recuperating.”
When questioned about whether the driver involved was potentially under the influence, Loria stated that an investigation is underway. “I don’t know if it was drinking or not. An investigation is being conducted into that,” he said. Loria also noted that in such incidents, the driver’s license is suspended pending the investigation’s outcome.
The BDF has yet to release further details regarding the circumstances that led to the soldier falling asleep on the road or the progress of the ongoing investigation.
