BY FAYE LISETTE GACHON, University of San Agustin Intern, KENEA HOPE DELLABA & PRINCESS YIANA BEATRIZE A. PAITAN, WVSU Interns
ILOILO – A 28-year-old cyclist was killed in a road accident yesterday morning, July 10, in Barangay Pakiad, Oton, Iloilo, after being struck by a pickup truck.
The victim, identified as Risty John, a seaman by profession, was riding his bicycle toward Mandurriao, Iloilo City, when he was hit from behind by a pickup truck at around 6:30 a.m.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Abner Jordan, chief of the Oton Municipal Police Station (MPS), initial investigation revealed that both the bicycle and the pickup truck were traveling in the same direction. The impact caused the victim to fall and suffer severe injuries.
The driver of the pickup truck, identified only by the alias “Mark,” is a 21-year-old incoming fourth-year university student in the city. He was reportedly on his way to drop off his siblings at school when the incident happened.
Relatives of the driver claimed that Mark is known to be a careful and cautious driver.
Emergency responders from the Oton Search and Rescue Team immediately brought the victim to the Western Visayas Medical Center for treatment. He was pronounced dead by the attending physician shortly after arrival due to the extent of his injuries.
The victim’s family has expressed their intent to file a case against Mark for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
As of press time, the Oton police were trying to determine whether the driver was speeding, although there are currently no closed-circuit television cameras or witnesses in the area to confirm the circumstances of the collision./PN
