Motorcycle rider hits cop’s vehicle, dies

MOTORCYCLE rider died after he hit a pick-up truck driven by a policeman along the national highway of Barangay Palaka in Valladolid, Negros Occidental Saturday night.

Killed was Ricky Panibawan, 39, of Barangay Palaka. Senior Inspector Junji Liba, town police chief, said Panibawan was driving a motorcycle on his way home when he hit a pick-up truck driven by Police Officer 2 Alekhine Pampliega, 40, of Barangay Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an town.

Liba said Pampliega fetched his two female relatives from Bacolod City and was about to send them home in Valladolid town when the accident happened.

Liba said the pick-up truck executed a left turn when the speeding motorcycle traveling on the opposite direction hit the vehicle.

Panibawan succumbed to head injuries.

Pampliega and his two passengers were unharmed. The motorcycle driver probably did not see the vehicle because the area was dark, Liba said.

It was also too late for him to apply brake because of his speed, he added.

Liba said Pampliega, who is assigned at Hinoba-an Municipal Police Station, is under the custody of Valladolid Municipal Police Station.

He will be released after the lapse of the 36-hour reglementary period because the victim’s family decided not to press any charges against him.

The policeman will extend financial assistance to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, a couple was injured after they hit the patrol car of Police Station 8 at Barangay Tangub, this city on the same day.

The couple was riding a motorcycle when they hit the vehicle which was about to cross the opposite lane.

No injuries were reported on the part of policemen but the couple sustained injuries and was brought to a hospital.

Another accident also occurred at Lacson Street on the same day that damaged the glass door of a business establishment.

A 30-year-old woman, whose name was withheld, was about to park her Ford Fiesta vehicle when she stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake.

No injuries were reported.