For the families of Allan Arnold, Darwin Monroy, and Theodore Swasso, Sunday morning brought news no loved one is ever prepared to hear. The three men died in a devastating motorcycle crash on Mahogany Street in Belize City. As relatives struggle with the shock and pain of losing them, police are still investigating how the fatal collision happened. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Two motorcycles, three lives lost, and a motorcycle club left shaken. Around two o’clock Sunday morning, a deadly crash on Mahogany Street claimed the lives of Allan Arnold, Darwin Monroy, and Theodore Swasso. Reports suggest that Arnold had taken off his helmet and attempted to park when the collision happened. Police are still investigating the moments that led to the tragedy. ASP Stacy Smith explains.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“What has been established is that Arnold was proceeding on a motorcycle from an east to west direction and also traveling on a motorcycle in opposite direction were Darwin Monroy along with Swasso as his pillion rider. Upon reaching near the intersection of Mahogany Street and Tibruce Street, a collision occurred with both motorcycle resulting in the grave injury and the subsequent death of the three individuals.”
Reporter
“Do you know if they were any of them wearing helmets?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“One motorcycle helmet was recovered from the scene.”
Reporter
“Are you able to say who was in the wrong?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“That has not been established so far.”
Arnold was a member of the Hell Boy Motorcycle Club. His brother, who also shares the name Allan Arnold, says they were almost inseparable. They often spent time with the same group, watching Allan ride. Today, he is struggling to come to terms with the loss.
Voice of: Allan Arnold Jr.
Voice of: Allan Arnold Jr., Brother of Deceased
“They take away something precious from me, and that’s my little brother. They take my baby brother from me, you know what I’m saying? And they can’t bring that back.”
Allan Arnold
Arnold says their father, a mechanic, raised them with a deep love for vehicles. He claims that even though he had a love for roads, his brother was a responsible driver, who, like other members of the group, did not drink.
Voice of: Allan Arnold Jr.
“He just get into this passion and love his bike. You noh see he like ney otha cycle guys, he ride real safe. And sometimes I woulda think my breda woulda be the one fi do all kinda acrobatics pan cycle but no my bred a just calm. They no big into drinking. That da di culture of this club. In know these guys and they don’t drink.”
The Department of Transport says it is stepping up training and joint enforcement as motorcycle offenses continue to rise. Officials are targeting reckless riding, helmet violations, overloading, and drunk driving. Deputy Transport Officer Peter Williams says the goal is simple: safer roads and greater accountability.
Peter Williams
Peter Williams, Deputy Transport Officer
“Our officers have made the observation that there is need for greater focus on the use of motorcycles within urban areas. We have had several reports from members of the public regarding the use of motorcycles within urban areas, which includes the noise issue, which includes the reckless use of motorcycles within the various urban areas across the country.”
Theodore Swasso
Reports indicate that Theodore Swasso was riding pillion with Darwin Monroy at the time.
Darwin Monroy
His grandmother, Delphina Brooks, said she was woken up by some friends of Swasso, who informed her his helmet had fallen off mere moments before the collision that claimed his life. She recounts the last time she saw him alive.
Delphina Brooks
Delphina Brooks, Grandmother of Deceased
“Ney call him smiley because he always the smile. But he;s a very nice somebody, My grandson is very nice. He spend time with his daughter two days there. Bring her ya come look fi me and after that, the Friday he left from outta my house and he gone. I neva see my grandson until when ney come tell me and I see my grandson laid down on the hospital bed.”
Williams says the days of only issuing minor traffic tickets are changing. Authorities are pushing for tougher penalties, more court action, and stronger road safety education. Britney Gordon for News Five.
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.
Watch the full newscast here:
