Two killed in road accidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two persons, including a 56-year-old woman, died in a vehicular accident Thursday in Cebu.

In Tabogon town, 22-year-old Jake Capangpangan of Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu, allegedly fell asleep while driving and accidentally hit an old woman who was walking along the side of the road in Barangay Libjo, Thursday morning.

Perla Veronas, 56, died on the spot after sustaining multiple injuries when she was run over by the car driven by Capangpangan.

Capangpangan was then detained at the Tabogon Police Station.

Senior Police Officer 1 Gregorio Licayan of the Tabogon Police Station said that based on their investigation, Veronas was heading home after attending a wedding of her relative.

However, upon reaching the national highway in Barangay Libjo at around 11:45 a.m., the silver Kia Carens driven by Capangpangan suddenly hit Veronas.

Capangpangan also had two passengers he was set to transport from Consolacion to Maya, Daanbantayan. The passengers, who were set to travel to Malapascua, were not injured in the incident.

But because of the impact, Licayan said Veronas was dragged a few meters away from where she was hit by the car. He said the car only stopped after it hit a post along the road.

He said Veronas was immediately brought to the hospital in Bogo City, but the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.

Licayan said Capangpangan was probably tired because of the long drive.

But Capangpangan was released from jail yesterday after an amicable settlement was reached with Veronas’ family.

Meanwhile, six hours after, a man driving a motorcycle died after he was hit by an overtaking Ceres bus at Sitio Tinibgan, Barangay Panalipan, Catmon town, Cebu.

Baltazar Luardo, 31, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while his brother, Lloyd Luardo, 35, who was also on board the motorcycle, sustained injuries.

The driver of the Ceres bus, Leo Montellano, 41, was detained at the Catmon Police Station.

Initial investigation revealed that at around 6 p.m., the bus driven by Montellano was travelling to the northern part of Cebu.

Upon reaching Sitio Tinibgan, the bus swerved to another lane to overtake a public utility vehicle, which pulled over to unload passengers.

However, upon overtaking, the bus collided head on with the motorcycle driven by Baltazar who was heading to Carmen, Cebu.

Baltazar and Lloyd were immediately brought to the Juan Diosdado Memorial Hospital but Baltazar was declared dead on arrival.

Montellano voluntarily surrendered to Catmon Police Station and may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and physical injury. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/ATO (FREEMAN)