Motorcycle hits bus: 2 killed

CEBU, Philippines – Two riders were killed after their motorcycle crashed into a passenger bus Monday afternoon at Lambunao town of Iloilo.

Inspector Felix Alianza, Jr., Lambunao Police chief, identified the victims as Romy Lentija, 35, a fish vendor, of Barangay Tiringanan in Janiuay, Iloilo; and Jude Activa, 39, of Barangay Pangilihan, also of Janiuay.

The two suffered severe head injuries and were brought to the Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Lambunao but were declared dead on arrival. Aside from taking alcohol, the victims were not also wearing crash helmet, said Alianza.

Investigation disclosed the victims had taken alcoholic drinks at Lentija’s house minutes before the accident.

They then brought home a friend, who was living at the nearby village of Bansag in Lambunao.

On their way home, the two were reportedly running their motorcycle at high speed and failed to slow down while navigating a downhill blind curve at Barangay Magbato. The motorcycle, driven by Lentija, took the other lane and hit the CBL Bus, plying the Badiangan-Iloilo route. It was allegedly too late for the bus to evade the motorcycle.

Alianza said the motorcycle hit the right portion of the bus, driven by Filomeno Sombrino, 57, of Barangay Bagongbong in Dueñas, Iloilo.

Sombrino voluntarily surrendered to the police, and there were feelers that Quirino Celeste, Jr., owner of CBL bus, would like to settle the case.

“But if none of their representative would not appear in the police station, we would be filing the case for two counts of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against the bus driver,” Alianza added.

Sombrino is now still detained, while the CBL bus that figured in the accident is impounded at the Lambunao Police Station.