Trailer runs over 67-yr.-old cyclist

CEBU, Philippines – A speeding tractor hit and ran over a 67-year-old man who was traveling on a bicycle at the Cebu South Coastal Road in barangay San Isidro, Talisay City at 9:50 a.m. yesterday.

He did not reach the hospital alive.

SPO2 Ricky Larrobis, traffic investigator, identified the man as Arturo Agero, married, and a resident of Corazon Village of the same barangay, which is across from where he died.

Larrobis said Agero, while on his bike, tried to cross the road, when the Nissan tractor trailer (GVN 516) driven by Teodoro Pangan, 59, swept him and ran over him, causing his instantaneous death.

The traffic investigator said the trailer, owned by Van Transport Inc., was coming from Cebu City on its way to the south.

Larrobis said the traffic light was yet to go "green," which means it was still the tractor's turn, when Agero pedaled to cross the intersection.

For his part, the 59-year-old Pangan, who is a resident of Jumalon St., Reclamation Area, Cebu City, said he saw Agero on his way but since he was going fast it was impossible not to hit the man on the bike.

The traffic police said considering the trailer's speed, Pangan would still hit anyone who crossed his path no matter how hard he stepped on the brakes.

Agero's body was hit by one of the trailer's tires and was dragged a few meters away from where he was hit.

Agero was rushed by members of Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, but was declared dead on arrival.

The area is considered accident prone considering that vehicles especially the ones coming from Cebu City run fast.

"Since this road was opened, makaingun ta nga ubay-ubay na sad ang mga aksidente diri. Mao man gud kay corner, unya high way. Daghan sad reckless nga driver," he said.

Pangan was arrested and is now detained at the Talisay City Police Station while waiting for a case to be filed against him. Larrobis said he will be charged for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide. (THE FREEMAN)