Collision blamed on texting driver

CEBU - A septic tank truck and a Mitsubishi Pajero figured in a road accident yesterday afternoon at the South Road Properties, an incident one of the drivers blamed on cellphone text messaging.

Luckily, no one was reported hurt but both vehicles sustained damage after the truck hit the left side of the Pajero before it jumped off the gutter, hit a concrete pole and rammed headlong into a tree.

Joel Dayanan, 43, a resident of sitio Dawis, barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, the driver of the septic tank truck with plate numbers GHM- 210 said he was on his way to their office in Tupas Garfield, Cebu City and was following Pajero with plate number GTF-528 that was also tailing a motorcycle.

But when they reached SRP corner Maglasang St. in barangay Cansojong Talisay City, the motorcycle suddenly stopped prompting the Pajero also to stop, catching Dayanan off-guard.

Dayanan said he pulled over the steering wheel hard, making the truck swerve and hit the left side of the Pajero that was driven by Mervin Gonzales, 34, single, of Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City.

The truck then jumped off the gutter, hit a concrete pole and rammed a tree.

Dayanan blamed the incident on the motorcycle driver who was allegedly texting at the time. He said the driver just allegedly left on his motorcycle after the incident as if nothing had happened.

“Sige man gud og text-text ang nagmaneho sa motor unya nikalit lang og break. Ang Pajero naka break pa pero ako wala nako nakabawi mao nga ako nalang gibangga ang sakyanan diha sa gutter,” said Dayanan

PO1 Aquiles Cabando of the Talisay City Police who was one of those who responded to the incident told Dayanan to pay for the damages including the Pajero’s broken light.

“Dili jud lagi maayo mag text-text basta mag-drive,” said Cabando.

Dayanan said he was thankful that nobody was hurt as he promised to shoulder the damages.  — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)