DRIVER IN HITAND-RUN CASE SURRENDERS
Flavio Taganahan reportedly admits hitting Arianna Veliganio, 4, who was declared dead on arrival in a hospital
The driver of the vehicle that hit and killed a four-year-old child in Barangay Mactan surrendered to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Traffic Division last Monday night.
Senior Insp. Jimmy Fortes, chief of the Traffic Division, said Flavio Taganahan, a resident of Barangay Suba-Basbas, appeared before his office past 6 p.m., and he admitted that it was him who drove the Toyota Innova, with temporary plate number 076005.
Taganahan admitted he was drunk at that time while driving.
“Initially, Taganahan said he came to the office to clear his name in the issue. But I told him that he was caught in the closed-circuit television camera. He then admitted that it was him who hit the child,” Fortes said in Cebuano.
Arianna Veliganio, 4, was declared dead before reaching the hospital, while her 13-year-old sister, Antonette, was injured when they were hit by the vehicle. The siblings were walking on the road with two other minors past 7 p.m. last Sunday when the incident happened.
Taganahan did not stop to bring the children when the incident happened.
Taganahan appeared to traffic office after Fortes and the Traffic Division personnel spoke with the suspect's wife.
Fortes' team found out that the suspect had a drinking spree with his cousins in Sitio Sea Breeze, Mactan and drove home using the Toyota Innova before the incident happened.
Fortes said that a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury will be filed today against Taganahan.
Pajo Barangay Capt. Junard Chan, whom the family have asked for help, said the suspect confessed that he was bothered by his conscience.
Taganahan asked forgiveness to the parents of the two minors, but the parents said they will pursue the filing of charges against him. /