December 1, 2007 | 12:00am
A senior police officer was listed in serious condition after he was hit by a speeding van while crossing a street at the height of a police operation Thursday in Pasig City.
Senior Police Officer 3 Leandro Santos, 47, a resident of Magpayo, Caloocan City, sustained severe head and body injuries. He is now fighting for his life at the Rizal Medical Center.
The suspect, Eugene Medina, 20, driver of J-Mar Transport and Logistics Inc. in Sucat, Parañaque City, was arrested after the incident.
Santos and his colleagues at the Special Operations Group of the Eastern Police District (EPD) were conducting monitoring and surveillance operations in Barangay Buting at the height of the Manila Peninsula siege when the incident happened.
Witnesses said Santos was about to cross a street when he saw the Mitsubishi L-300 van with license plate WBF 120 approaching him at about 6 p.m.
Santos raised his right hand, signaling the driver to stop but was apparently not noticed by Medina. It was only after the vehicle hit Santos that Medina stepped on the brakes. Medina was arrested by Santos’ colleagues.
Medina is currently detained at the EPD annex building along Meralco Avenue in Barangay San Antonio while charges of reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injury are being readied against him. – Non Alquitran
