Laborer dead, 5 others hurt in road accidents

CEBU, Philippines - A laborer of the Department of Public Works and Highways died while two others were injured after they were hit by a delivery van in Barangay Don G. Antigua, Borbon town last Wednesday.

Danilo Ornopia, 39, who works as a laborer for DPWH-5th Engineering District, succumbed to severe head and body injuries while Jonkeith Sepulveda, 14, and Letecia Tero, 35, were treated at the hospital.

Investigation showed that Ornopia was doing manual work while Sepulveda and Tero were walking along the road when the van hit them at past 11 a.m.

The driver of the van, Michael Vincent Cabarubias, allegedly fell asleep while driving the vehicle, said Senior Police Officer 4 More Magdadaro of Borbon Police.

“Nadaro si Ornopia, na-intimano, nabunal sa windshield. Napilit tawn ang buhok sa windshield,” Magdadaro said.

The victims were rushed to Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital where Ornopia was declared dead hours later while the two others have been discharged after treatment.

Cabarubias is now detained and was charged for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and physical injury.

TOLEDO ACCIDENT

Meanwhile, three foreigners were injured after they were hit by a vehicle owned by the City Agricultural Services of Toledo City past 12 noon on Thursday in Barangay Cantabaco, Toledo City.

The victims were identified as Dutch national Hendrikus Joannes Van Maris, 64; American national James William King, 67; and Espen Kloften, a Norwegian.

Salvador Lorica, Toledo City’s agricultural technician, was driving a Kia Utility vehicle while headed for Cantabaco barangay hall from his office when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and hit the foreigners who were parking their motorcycles at the roadside.

The Dutchman, who suffered head and body injuries, was brought to Carmen Copper Hospital and was later transferred to Chong Hua Hospital for further treatment.

King and Kloften who only suffered abrasions have been treated and are now in safe condition.

Police Officer 3 Alexander Bento of Toledo City Police Station said the victims had settled with the driver and opted not to file a case against him.

They, however, asked the driver to pay for the damages to their motorcycles and the hospital fees.— Bryner L. Diaz/NSA (FREEMAN)