Newsboy dies in Oslob road collision

CEBU, Philippines - A newsboy died when the delivery van he was riding rammed the rear portion of a prime mover along the national highway in Barangay Lagundi, Oslob early morning yesterday.

Milwardo Sumicao, 39, a resident of Abono, Lapu-Lapu City sustained severe physical injuries and died before reaching the hospital while the driver of the vehicle, Butch Cristuta, 60, of Tipolo, Mandaue City, only sustained minor injuries.

According to PO3 Nelson Saquibal, Cristuta was driving a green Mitsubishi L300 van with plate numbers TPH-518 with Sumicao as his passenger around 3 a.m. from Cebu City on their way to a port in Bato, Samboan to deliver newspapers.

But while negotiating on the national highway, the van driver said he was suddenly got blinded by the lights of another vehicle on the opposite lane. He maneuvered a little to the right to evade the coming vehicle but failed to notice the prime mover parked on the road ahead of them.

The delivery van then rammed the rear portion of the prime mover causing big damage on the van. Sumicao, who was seated on the right side of the driver, was severely hurt and did not make it to Oslob District Hospital alive.

Saquibal said the prime mover, with plate numbers RCP-560, was occupying almost half of the road and has no sign that would caution the drivers. The road is also not well-lighted, he added.

Responding police officers arrested Cristuta and Rufo Dilvo, 51, driver of the prime mover, but they were later released after the families of both parties agreed to amicably settle the matter.

Larry Estacion, owner of the prime mover, also assisted the fatality’s family in their financial expenses. (FREEMAN)