An eight-year-old student from Hopkins, Stann Creek District, is undergoing recovery following a traumatic traffic incident that occurred near his school premises on Tuesday afternoon. Karter Benedit, a Standard Two pupil at Holy Family RC Primary School, suffered significant injuries when a motorcycle collided with him while he was crossing the street alongside classmates.
The child was immediately transported to Southern Regional Hospital for emergency treatment. Medical professionals performed approximately 12-15 stitches to address head trauma, while also treating serious leg injuries that involved exposed back muscles. According to medical assessments, the boy narrowly avoided permanent mobility damage due to the white tissue remaining undamaged.
Dyny Martinez, Karter’s mother, recounted the harrowing experience of receiving the emergency call from school authorities. She described the urgent transfer to Dangriga hospital for specialized admission and treatment. Physicians have indicated a minimum two-week recovery period for the young patient.
Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that a suspect is currently in custody regarding the incident. This event has ignited community discussions about road safety measures near educational institutions. Martinez has publicly advocated for enhanced traffic controls, including speed bumps and increased police monitoring of motorcycle operators near school zones.
The timing coincides with announced transportation safety initiatives by national authorities. Chester Williams, CEO of relevant transportation authorities, recently disclosed that the Ministry of Transport is evaluating comprehensive measures to improve motorcycle training protocols and enforcement procedures. These developments include deploying additional traffic officers equipped with body cameras, dashboard cameras, speed detection devices, and breathalyzer technology.