Driver runs red light, then refuses blood and urine test

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): An Orange Walk District driver who allegedly ran a traffic light and showed signs of intoxication is now detained pending charges, after twice refusing to provide a blood or urine specimen, a refusal that is itself an offence under Belizean law.

According to the Belize Police Department, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., officers on mobile patrol along Cinderella Street in Orange Walk Town observed a grey Jeep Cherokee SUV run the traffic light at the intersection of Queen Victoria Avenue and Otro Benque Road. Police activated their revolving lights and signalled the driver to stop, which he did on La Democracia Street.

The driver produced a driver’s licence found to be in order, and checks on the vehicle’s insurance disc and licence sticker found both in order as well. He was identified as Osbaldo Alonzo, a 37-year-old labourer of Tower Hill Village.

While speaking with him, however, the officer reported smelling a strong aroma of alcohol on his breath and observed that his speech was slurred. Alonzo was informed of the offence of driving a motor vehicle whilst under the influence of drinks or drugs, placed under arrest, cautioned, informed of his constitutional rights, and escorted to the Orange Walk Police Station, with the vehicle impounded.

At the station, his rights and custody documents were read and explained, and he signed both. He was then asked whether he wished to provide a urine or blood sample, with the explanation that refusing to do so is an offence. He refused. Police escorted him to the Northern Regional Hospital, where a specimen was again requested and the consequence of refusal again explained. In the presence of a doctor, Alonzo refused to provide a specimen without reasonable cause.

He was returned to the Orange Walk Police Station and placed in a holding cell pending charges. The vehicle was released to a relative.

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