NEGROS Occidental – The local government unit (LGU) of San Carlos City here is moving forward with criminal charges against the owner and driver of a refrigerated van involved in a fatal collision that killed a city government employee and injured more than 10 others on April 10.
City government officials confirmed the legal action following a formal review of the crash, which claimed the life of a City Health Office (CHO) worker and left several colleagues hospitalized.
According to police investigations, the refrigerated van was navigating a curve in Sitio Punod, Barangay Rizal, when it reportedly suffered brake failure. The driver lost control of the vehicle, veering into the opposite lane and colliding head-on with a truck owned by Barangay Quezon.
The barangay truck was transporting CHO personnel at the time of the impact.
Authorities identified the fatality as Perfecto “Fecto” Magbanua, a regular employee of the CHO. Among the injured was Dr. Minerva Alcarde, who was traveling with nearly a dozen other health workers.
Mayor Renato Gustilo has directed authorities to coordinate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to identify the van’s registered owner. Gustilo noted that, as of press time, the responsible party has failed to reach out or coordinate with the city government.
The LGU, in tandem with barangay officials, is preparing to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries.
The vehicle owner may also face administrative sanctions if the van is found to be unroadworthy or if there was clear negligence in the supervision of the driver, city officials added. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
