Boy, 7, killed in road mishap
A 7-year-old boy died after he was run over by a six-wheelertruck at 8 a.m. yesterday along Sergio Osmeña Street near T. Padilla Ext., Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.
The boy was identified as Julius Benitez, an orphan, reportedly a deaf mute and living in Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.
Police Inspector Jomar Pomerejos said that the boy was on his way to school together with other children. The boy saw a rope at the rear right portion of the truck and clung to it while the truck was stopping for the red light.
"Naay mga bata nga nilabang nya kaning biktima nihapit og kapyot sa pisi sa truck," Pomerejos said.
The driver of the truck, Hubertson Baste Beto, said he did not see the boy clinging to the rope of his truck.
"Wala ko kita sa bata. Natinga na lang ko pag-go nako nilagubo ang right portion sa truck, mao to nihunong ko." Beto told The FREEMAN.
According to one of the pedestrians he saw the boy hanging at the right portion of the truck.
Beto asked for forgiveness from the family and said it was just an accident.
He also asked for help from his company so that he will be released from jail as soon as possible.
SPO1 Edgar Baton said that they will coordinate with the family of the victim today to ask if they will pursue a case against the driver. —
Marenyl Bolhano and Jeffrey Legara, USJ-R Interns/MBG