Driver of ‘speeding’ gov’t truck that killed minor charged

CEBU, Philippines - A driver of a barangay owned vehicle is facing charges before the court for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Prosecutor II Maria Theresa Casiño of the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office held for trial Serapion Cabajar, 59, a resident of Sitio Gila-gila, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City.

“…accused then driving an Isuzu Forward Truck (SJM 495) along Sitio Gila-gila, a public highway, did then and there drive or operate said vehicle in a reckless and imprudent manner, without taking the necessary precaution…thereby causing, by such recklessness and imprudence, to hit a minor, while the latter was standing at the side of the road,” the charge sheet read.

Casiño recommended P30,000 bail for Cabajar’s temporary liberty.

A certain Niwlyses Nacario, 39, resident of Sitio Pangpang, Barangay Buot-Taup, said she witnessed the incident around 5 p.m. last July 18.

Nacario said while she was at a store to buy medicines, she noticed a speeding government truck driven by the accused. It then accidentally hit the 11-year-old girl, who was standing by the road.

Nacario said the minor was pinned between the tire and the concrete road gutter resulting to her death.

The victim’s mother, Grace Bacacao, 50, said she was at home when she was informed by a neighbor that her daughter had been hit by the truck.

The victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

After the incident, Cabajar voluntarily surrendered to Barangay Bonbon officials.