A community in Bullet Tree Village is confronting profound grief and mounting anger following a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 31-year-old Mark Magaña Bul in the early hours of Thursday morning. The tragic collision occurred approximately at 1:00 AM along Bullet Tree Road as Bul, a dedicated father of three, was returning home from an extended work shift.
The driver, identified by authorities as Julio Valdez, allegedly fled the scene without rendering assistance to the victim. Two passing travelers discovered Bul still conscious at the roadside and attempted life-saving measures, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. The victim was subsequently transported to San Ignacio Hospital before being transferred to Belize City, where he was pronounced deceased.
Martha Magaña Bul, the victim’s mother, recounted the devastating moment she received notification of the accident, describing the phone call that every parent dreads. She emphasized her son’s strong work ethic and commitment to providing for his family, noting he had accepted extra work hours that evening to better fulfill his parental responsibilities.
This tragedy represents the second devastating loss for the Magaña Bul family, who lost another son in a similar traffic incident sixteen years ago. The grieving mother has issued an emotional public plea for justice, calling for increased accountability for reckless drivers and expressing frustration with what she perceives as systemic failures in addressing traffic safety issues. The case has sparked broader conversations about road safety measures and legal consequences for hit-and-run offenses in the region.