Chief Inspector Erlito Torenegin, sector chief of the Central Traffic Command, identified the fatality as Kenjie Kanai, a student of the Benedictine International School of Quezon City.
His injured companions were identified as Gerly Casinto 21, a resident of Loyola Heights; Daniel Cleak, 17, a resident of Loyola Grand Villas in Quezon City; and Marie Arcie Anne Sergado, 20, of Roxas District.
Initial investigation showed that at around about 4 a.m., Sergado stopped her Mitsubishi Lancer (TGL 303) along Katipunan Avenue just across Ateneo to drop off her companions.
As Sergado’s passengers were getting out, a speeding Toyota Corolla (WCC 723) driven by Timothy Neil Abujuela, 21, smashed into the rear portion of her car.
All four occupants of the wrecked Lancer were then rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Attending physicians, however, declared Kanai dead upon arrival.
PO2 Renato Sunga, traffic investigator on case, said charges of reckless imprudence with homicide with multiple physical injuries would be filed against Abejuela, who is now in police custody.
"We will bring the suspect to the prosecutor for inquest proceedings," Sunga told The STAR.
Meanwhile, Central Police District (CPD) director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan ordered an investigation into complaints by Kanai’s coach Beaujing Acot that Abujuela was allegedly receiving VIP treatment from officials of the police traffic unit.
"I do not tolerate abuses as well as omission by my men. I will have that complaint investigated and if warranted, appropriate action will be taken immediately," Radovan told The STAR.
According to Acot, he and Kanai’s relatives arrived at the CPD headquarters inside Camp Karingal in Quezon City to follow-up the investigation on the accident.
"Nakita naming yung suspect doon lang sa hallway, so we talked to the investigators. Several minutes later, when we looked for the suspect, we found him sleeping inside one of the air-conditioned offices," he told The STAR.
Acot said special treatment was accorded to the suspect, whom he believes has a relative in the Philippine National Police.
He pointed out that they arrived at the headquarters at 7:30 a.m., but Abujuela was handcuffed only at around 12:40 p.m. when they voiced out a complaint.
The coach said he was extremely saddened by the death of Kanai, who could have had a bright future in basketball.
"Kanai was a scholar and a bright future had awaited him. He was pursuing his dream to become the most valuable player in the league," he said. "That dream will no longer be realized."