3 dead, 2 injured in road mishaps

CEBU, Philippines - Three died and two others were injured in separate vehicular accidents in Cebu province.

In Medellin town, a seven-year-old girl died after she was hit by a speeding jeepney when she was about to cross the street to her school in Barangay Lamintac Sur around 7am yesterday.

Police said Danica dela Peña, a grade one pupil of Antonio Pantaleon Elementary School, was allegedly dragged about a half kilometer away from the point of impact before the driver Felimon Sotto, 56, stopped his vehicle.

Sotto, a foreman of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Medellin, was driving his service Chariot jeepney with plate number DHB 291. He was traveling north towards Cebu City when the incident happened.

PO2 Roland Ruben of the Medellin Police Station said Sotto failed to step on his breaks. Sotto reportedly tried to slow his vehicle down, but suddenly speeded away, dragging the girl with him. He only allegedly stopped the vehicle when residents in the area started berating him.

“Nabagnos gyud iyang nawong hasta ang ulo nakita na iyang bagol-bagol,” the police said, referring to the condition of the child.

Sotto, who voluntarily surrendered after the incident, is now detained at the Medellin police stockade. A case for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide was filed against him yesterday at the Regional Trial Court in Bogo City.

Meanwhile, in Sibonga town, a 31-year-old man died and two others were in critical condition when the motorcycles they were riding slammed into each other in Barangay Bagacay last Sunday night.

Nicanor Mondido of barangay Bahay was declared dead on arrival at the South General Hospital in Naga City while Arnel Rivera, 28, of Talisay City and Jonathan Motante, 34, of Barangay Napo, Carcar remain under observation.

Senior Police Officer 4 Rodelito Carillo of the Sibonga Police said Mondido was bound south on board his Rusi Ramstar motorcycle with plate number 3949GG while Rivera and Motante were heading towards Cebu City on board their Kawasaki Furry motorcycle with plate number 7TC-M-1275.

Upon reaching Barangay Bagacay, Rivera reportedly suddenly swerved left causing them to collide with Mondido. Both motorcycle slumped to the road causing injuries to the victims.

In a separate incident in Catmon, a woman was killed in a vehicular incident in barangay Binungkalan also on Sunday evening.

Police said victim Rosita Roilo, 60, of Barangay Fuente, Carmen was crossing the national highway at about 8pm when she was hit by a speeding motorcycle heading north.

She was rushed to the Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital in Sogod town, but was declared dead on arrival. The black Suzuki motorcycle with the plate number TJ7657 is owned by The First Delivery Courier Inc. and was driven by Falcon Valles, 36, of Barangay Cogon Pardo, Cebu City at that time.

Valles said he did not notice Roilo cross the street because the area was dark. He is currently detained at the Catmon Police Station while awaiting the filing of charges against him.

SPO2 Rex Menchaves said Roilo was in Barangay Binungkalan at that time to visit her daughter. (FREEMAN)