1 dead, 6 injured in Pinamungajan accident

CEBU, Philippines —  A motorcycle driver died while six others were injured after a wayward pickup truck collided with a motorcycle Sunday evening in Barangay Pandacan, Pinamungajan, Cebu.

Police identified the lone fatality as Glecedo Piala Cuizon, 47, a resident of Barangay Pandacan. Those injured were identified as Warren Delarmente, 48, also a resident of Barangay Pandacan; Joseph Formentera Lucerna, 51, pickup truck driver; Theresa Lucerna, 52; Mary Mae Moreno Lucerna, 24; Nenalyn Moreno, 30; and Christian Moreno, 30; all residents of Tungkop, Minglanilla, Cebu.

Initial investigation conducted by Police Staff Sergeant Jerame Navarro and Police Corporal Hajie Pacquiao, of Pinamungajan Police Station, revealed that the pickup truck driver, carrying four passengers, was travelling at high speed heading north towards their home place in Minglanilla.

Upon reaching Barangay Pandacan, the pickup truck driver lost control of the wheel and swerved to the opposite lane after overtaking a vehicle in front of him. The pickup subsequently collided with the motorcycle driven by Cuizon.

Due to the impact of the collision Cuizon was thrown off his motorcycle resulting in his untimely death. Delarmente, who was outside his house when the accident happened, was hit by the pickup truck before it rammed into a coconut tree.

The pickup driver and his passengers were pinned inside vehicle and had to be extracted by the responding local disaster unit.

The victims were rushed to Pinamungajan District Hospital where the motorcycle driver was pronounced dead due to serious injuries. According to the police, the pickup truck driver tested positive of alcohol intake.

Witnesses told the police that the driver and his passengers came from a fiesta celebration at Sitio Baybay in Barangay Pandacan.

Lucerna will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injuries and damage to properties. — Dominic Dilao, UV Intern, FPL (FREEMAN)