CEBU, Philippines - A man riding a bicycle died while nine others on board a tricycle were injured after a car hit them in barangay Canjulao in Lapu-Lapu City past 5am yesterday.
The fatality was identified as Basilio Carmarillo, a resident of Argao. An identification card was recovered from his body which showed that he was a student of the Sisters of Mary in Minglanilla.
The injured persons were identified as Vercel Jayme, 32, the driver of the tricycle, his passengers namely Reynold Bensi, 32, Rosita Bering, 70, Rogelio Sumalinog, 47, Phil Pejo, 29, and Belinda Repdos, 33. All of them reside in Lapu-Lapu City.
Danilo Japson, a resident of Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, and driver of the Nissan Sedan that hit the victims was also injured severely.
His two passengers namely Rechel Seguesabal, 20 and Jocelyn Ningue, 20, both residents of Toledo City, also suffered bruises.
Investigation showed that Japson, allegedly drunk, was bringing Seguesabal and Ningue to their houses when he rammed into the bicycle driven by Carmarillo, then to the tricycle.
Carmarillo was thrown off the bike while the tricycle ridden by the other victims turned turtle. Losing control of his vehicle, Japson rammed the vehicle into a store.
Police Officer 1 Romello Adolfo of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Traffic Division said Japson was driving speedily under the influence of liquor.
The victims were taken to hospitals in Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu City while the body of Carmarillo was taken to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in the city.
Appropriate charges will be filed against Japson after he recuperates. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO
(THE FREEMAN)