ILOILO – A quiet morning in Barangay Pungto, Cabatuan town turned fatal on Saturday, June 14, when a car veered off the road and crashed into three individuals.
The victims, identified by police as a 72-year-old and 68-year-old, both from Cabatuan, and a 59-year-old from Lambunao town, were either jogging or collecting recyclables when a fast-approaching sedan suddenly rammed into them. All three were declared dead on arrival at the town’s Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital.
Police Captain Ailyn Lacrite, chief of the Cabatuan police station, said the Nissan Almera was driven by the 20-year-old alias “Jeru” from Maasin town.
Initial investigation revealed that the driver had just come from Pavia and was headed home to Maasin when he allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel.
“Napiyungan siya kag nadulaan kontrol sa manibela, rason nga ginlabayan niya ang mga biktima sa kilid sang dalan,” Lacrite said.
The victims included two morning joggers and a woman who was picking up plastic waste near As of this writing, the driver was under police custody as authorities were preparing to file formal charges in connection with the fatal crash.
Police were also reviewing the closed-circuit television camera footage and eye witness statements to support the case.
Law enforcers are once again reminding the public to exercise caution, especially early in the morning, when drowsy driving poses a serious risk. The Cabatuan Municipal Police Station also extended condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to pursue justice./PN
