MANILA, Philippines - A barangay health worker and her ten-month-old granddaughter died when they were rammed and dragged by a ten-wheeler wing van along the national road of Sitio Cangcuay, Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob shortly before evening last Tuesday.
Consolacion Trapa, 45, and her granddaughter Hannah Nicole Berongan, were rushed to the Oslob District Hospital but they did not get there alive due to severe multiple injuries.
Trapa was carrying Berongan when they were hit by the truck driven by Guilberto Nasido, 30, of Basiao, San Jose, Negros Oriental.
Nasido is now detained at the Oslob police stockade pending charges in court for reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide.
Responding officer, PO2 Rey Angelo Agustin, said the truck bearing plate number GXR-603 owned by Martin Matiao Transport Services was heading to Bato, Samboan, to transport chicken and hogs feeds to Negros Oriental when the incident happened.
Police investigation revealed that Nasido was supposed to change gear upon approaching a sloped portion of the road when the brakes of the truck suddenly malfunctioned.
In order to avoid the ravine on the left side of the road, Nasido reportedly swerved right without noticing the presence of the victims who were ten meters away from the road.
The victims were reportedly dragged about 20 meters from the point of impact before the truck stopped.
Dra. Gina Javier, the attending physician at the hospital declared both victims dead.
Meanwhile, a pregnant girl lost her mother and ended up being hospitalized after she was hit by a vehicle.
Christian Mae, 16, who was pregnant with her second child, fortunately only suffered light injuries, but her mother, Guadalupe Insierto, 58, died on the spot.
Both were on their way to the hospital for a check-up when they were hit by a Public Utility Jeepney along C. Padilla St, Barangay Duljo-Fatima yesterday midnight.
Christian Mae’s live-in-partner, Mark Llogore, 23, and their two-year-old son, survived unscathed.
Investigation showed that the four victims, who were residents of Sitio Lawis Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, were walking towards the Cebu City Medical Center to have Christian Mae’s condition checked, when the accident happened.
Guillermo Carsano, Jr., 27, the PUJ driver, was traversing the road from Barangay Inayawan when the steering wheel suddenly malfunctioned upon reaching C. Padilla St.
Investigation conducted by the Cebu City Traffic Patrol Group further showed that the PUJ turned 180 degrees to the right side of the road. The rear part of the PUJ swerved to the left and hit the victims.
Insierto, who was directly hit, was thrown to the ground and died on the spot.
The Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) arrived and took Christian Mae, who sustained light injuries, to CCMC. Apart from treating her wounds, doctors are also monitoring her baby’s condition. – (FREEMAN)