1 dead, another hurt in road mishap

CEBU, Philippines - A pedicab driver died while his passenger was injured after a speeding bus hit their vehicle along the national highway in North Poblacion, Naga last Monday afternoon.

Antonio Lastimado, 41, of Barangay West Poblacion and Gina Alforque, 22, of Barangay Poblacion were rushed to South General Hospital, but Lastimado passed away minutes later.

The pedicab was about to cross the road when it was hit by the Villahermosa bus with plate number GVT 403 driven by Leemark Villahermosa, 28, a resident of Dalaguete town. The bus was traveling towards Naga proper from Cebu City.

PO1 Junarie Latorre said the bus driver reportedly blew the horn upon seeing the pedicab, but the cab still crossed the street. Latorre said Lastimado might have thought he could make it across, but he was still hit by the bus just as he was about to reach the other side of the road.

The pedicab was dragged a few meters away, which injured the victims on different parts of their body. Lastimado himself was thrown off the road and hit his head on the pavement.

Villahermosa is now detained at the Naga police stockade awaiting the filing of charges against him. — (FREEMAN)