BACOLOD City – A man was killed after a tank truck hit the tricycle he was riding at Bangga Metal in Barangay Alijis.
Friday afternoon’s smashup led to the death of the 36-year-old Gary Tabafa of Barangay Cabug, police said.
Tabafa was on board a tricycle driven by the 39-year-old Jay Uguil. With him were two of Uguil’s children – the 5-year-old Gia Anne and 9-year-old Jhaymar.
The Uguils – also residents of Cabug – were rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center where they were currently under treatment.
Traffic investigators from Police Station 7 said tank truck driver Francisco Bantad Jr. lost control of his brakes, resulting in the collision.
Due to the impact, the tricycle also hit an XRM 125 motorcycle driven by the 33-year-old Gregie Paternal.
Paternal was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital for treatment.
The 41-year-old Bantad of Barangay Alegma, Murcia, Negros Occidental had locked himself inside the tank truck while waiting for the police in fear of being mauled by angry bystanders.
He said he was sorry for what happened, adding that the owner of the tank truck is willing to pay for the hospitalization fees of the injured and the burial expenses of Tabafa.
Bantad, detained in the lockup cell of Police Station 7, may face vehicular manslaughter and physical injury charges, police said./PN
