Mayor’s dump truck hits pregnant woman

CEBU, Philippines -  A pregnant woman was believed to have been killed after she was hit by a dump truck reportedly owned by Compostela Mayor Joel Quiño along the national highway of Barangay Sabang, Danao City yesterday afternoon.

Lani Pasaje, 25, who was five-month pregnant with her third child, was first thrown off from a motorcycle and was then run over by the truck.

The driver, Marito Capua, 37, surrendered to the police.

PO1 Rommel Costan, traffic investigator of Danao City Traffic Office, said the accident happened when Pasaje and her husband Jimmy were riding a motorcycle on their way home to Barangay Guinsay.

Costan said Jimmy just took Lani from Cebu Mitsumi Inc., where Lani works.

While travelling, they reportedly bumped into 17-year-old Deoneda Lauron, who suddenly crossed the road.

Due to the impact of the collision, Lani was thrown off some five meters away and was then hit by the dump truck.

Lani was rushed to the Danao City District Hospital and was transferred to Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City due to her serious condition.

Costan said they still have to confirm Lani’s status although Jimmy’s elder brother called him up last night to inform that Lani died at the hospital.

Jimmy and Lauron survived the incident with minor bruises in different parts of their bodies.

The truck driver didn’t left the area and voluntarily surrendered to the responding police.

Costan said Mayor Quiño was the registered owner of the truck, now impounded at the Danao City Traffic Office. -/LPM (FREEMAN)