Accidents in 3 cities killed 4

THREE road crashes killed four persons in the cities of Toledo, Naga and Cebu before the New Year.

Two hitchhikers died while six others were wounded when a six-wheeler cargo truck they were riding hit a concrete center island on the national highway of Barangay Poog, Toledo City last Friday.

At 9:30 a.m. on the highway of Sitio Tambis, a truck owned by Unihome Interior Material Corp. and driven by Eugene Amarillo was on its way to Toledo from A.S Fortuna, Banilad in Mandaue City.

The truck was loaded with tiles.

When Amarillo was maneuvering a downward slope, the truck’s brakes malfunctioned and he lost control of the vehicle.

It hit the concrete center island, killing the two hitchhikers who remained unidentified, and wounding the other.

The injured were identified as Lee Shun, owner of Unihome, Roy Brananola Jr., 28, John Lada, 29, Ralph Hernandez, 30, and an unidentified passenger who suffered serious injuries. Amarillo also suffered injuries.

Two were declared dead at the Carmen Copper Corp. Hospital.

Also last Friday, in the City of Naga, a motorcycle driver who was overtaking the vehicle in front of him was sideswiped by a van and was run over at 11 a.m.

Police identified the victim as Joselito Sanchez Jr., who was driving his motorcycle on the national highway of Barangay South Poblacion, Naga City.

With him on the road was Mark Perida, 28, driving a wing van and traveling in the same direction.

Sanchez allegedly overtook a vehicle in front of him and swerved to the left, but he was sideswiped by the van. He fell and was ran over by Perida.

He was declared dead at the Minglanilla District Hospital while Perida was detained at the Naga Police Station.

Yesterday, a man who was trying to cross the street was hit by a van on MJ Cuenco Ave. in Barangay Mabolo at 7:50 a.m.

The victim who was yet to be identified by the Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) allegedly crossed the street with a companion during a go signal.

“The driver alleged that there were two of them who suddenly crossed the street. Because the woman crossed first, in order not to hit her, he swerved to the opposite direction but he hit the man instead,” SPO2 Filomeno Viquezo said.

The driver was identified as Bersanie Caiso, 35, a resident of Alumnos, Mambaling.

The woman was also hit and broke her arm while the man succumbed to head injuries.

Her name was also not taken by the CCTO as of yet as she was rushed to the nearby hospital.

Caiso will face charges for reckless imprudence.