12-yr-old hit by jeepney, dies

CEBU, Philippines - A 12-year-old boy was run over by a passenger vehicle while crossing C. Padilla Street in Barangay Duljo-Fatima yesterday morning. 

The boy was identified as Erickson Sioson, a resident of the barangay. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Roberto Gimena, 30, a native of Minglanilla and a resident of Barangay Inayawan.

SPO1 Dionisio Galo of the Cebu City Police traffic section told The FREEMAN that Gimena was travelling his usual route around 9:30 am when he saw Sioson suddenly appear from the back of another passenger jeep at the opposite side of the road. It was reportedly too late before he could react.

“Naa koy kasugat na jeep nga Inayawan... migawas ang bata sa lubotan,” Gimena said.

The boy died due to severe injury on the head, which Galo said must have been hit by one of the jeepney’s front wheels. He was recovered from under Gimena’s vehicle. The Emergency Rescue Unit Foundatin (ERUF) declared him dead.

Gimena surrendered to authorities, but Galo said they are awaiting the boy’s parents to submit the death certificate so that charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide can be filed against Gimena.

Gimena is temporarily detained at the Cebu City Police Office. The boy’s remains now lie at the Saint Francis Funeral Homes.

Galo said the area where the incident happened is a highly congested area where various passenger vehicles pass to and from the downtown area.  (FREEMAN)