Man hit by vehicle driven by priest

CEBU, Philippines - A 67-year-old man died after he was hit by a multicab driven by a priest along Alcantara Street in Sitio Tangcongan, Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City early morning Wednesday.

Luis Esmeños, reportedly a street dweller in the area, succumbed to injuries in different parts of his body.

The driver, Fr. Joseph Gabriente, 44, of Barangay Labangon, was detained after he personally turned himself over to the Traffic Patrol Group’s Office.

Manuel Tagaan, the record in-charge for vehicular accidents at the TPG, said at 5:20 a.m. Wednesday, Gabriente was driving his Suzuki multicab pickup when suddenly, Esmeños crossed the road.

Tagaan said he could not tell if Gabriente was under the influence of liquor or was driving at a high speed but based on the driver’s allegation, Esmeños just crossed the street and it was too late for him to stop the car.

“Dili ra man kuno kusog kaayo nagpadagan. Kalit lang gyud kuno kaayo. Unya wala pud kuno kaayo niya maklaro ang biktima kay kadlawn pa baya to,” said Tagaan.

Esmeños, who landed hard on the road, was immediately brought to the nearby Sacred Heart Hospital. However, he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Tagaan said no one from the area knew Esmeños and that he was just identified by an official document inside his pocket.

“Cedula man tingali to unya pag-verify nila, sakto man pud gyud. Voter man gyud siya,” said Tagaan.

As of press time, Tagaan said no one claimed the victim’s body or show up to file a case against the priest.

Gabriente would face charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide if Esmeños’ family will pursue charges against him.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Cebu is ready to support Gabriente’s legal needs.   Gabriente is reportedly one of the parish priests in Aloguinsan town.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said they were informed of the incident and it saddened them to know that there was a fatality.

But Tan said it was a good thing that Gabriente did not run away and was still able to rush Esmeños to the hospital.

Tan said Gabriente will shoulder the funeral and burial expenses of Esmeños. —/ATO (FREEMAN)