A fatal traffic collision has claimed the life of a 77-year-old Belize City resident, prompting law enforcement to issue urgent public safety reminders after confirming the stretch of highway where the crash occurred has seen similar recent incidents.
Retiree Erlene Gillett died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the Philip Goldson Highway within Belize City limits, according to an official update from Belize police released as an ongoing investigation gets underway.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed details of the incident in a press briefing, noting that Gillett was hit by a Dodge Caravan driven by an adult male. As part of standard protocol for the investigation, the vehicle has been seized for forensic examination, and law enforcement has collected a urine sample from the driver to test for potential impairment. “What the investigation has shown so far is that Gillett was struck by the Dodge Caravan, which was being driven by the stated male person, as she was attempting to cross the highway. The motor vehicle has since been impounded as part of the ongoing investigation, and urine samples have been obtained from the driver,” Smith stated in her official comments.
In a revealing detail that underscores growing safety concerns for the area, Smith confirmed this is not the first recent fatal or injurious incident involving a pedestrian hit on that section of the highway. “If memory serves well, I believe this is the second of such incidents in recent times when a pedestrian was struck seeking to cross the highway,” she added.
With two incidents now recorded in a short timeframe, Smith is pushing all road users to prioritize safety, reminding both pedestrians and drivers of their shared responsibility to prevent collisions. She emphasized that even when pedestrians cross outside of officially marked zones, drivers carry an obligation to remain attentive, particularly since the highway segment falls within Belize City’s municipal boundaries, where pedestrian activity is expected.
“There is an onus on drivers. It is still within city limits, and though the area was not a designated crossing area, persons travelling onboard motor vehicles have a duty to pay attention and be on the alert as they are operating these motor vehicles,” Smith said, urging pedestrians to only use marked crossing locations whenever possible to reduce their risk of harm.
As of August 28, 2026, the investigation remains open, with police yet to release further details on potential charges or the results of toxicology testing for the driver.