3 motorcycle riders killed in accident

CEBU, Philippines —  An early dawn road mishap along the national highway of Barangay Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu last Sunday left three men dead.

Police Major Christian Torres, Balamban Police Station chief, identified the fatalities as William Dominic Pierson, 23; Dane Caballero Sultan, 23; and Steve Wagas Son, 23. Both Sultan and Son are residents of Barangay Aliwanay, while Pierson is from Barangay Paliwagan.

Quoting the result of the initial investigation, Torres said Renerio Remo, 46, a resident of Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City, was driving a ten-wheeler wing van truck was on his way back to Mandaue City after delivering feeds to a poultry farm.

"Executing the right turn ang vehicle one (truck) diri sa eskina. Tungod sa kadako sa wing van, kinahanglan siya mokawat gamay sa iyang opposite direction, pero clear raman ang kalsada, so nikawat siya gamay para makasulod sya sa right turn," Torres told reporters.

"Kani sang motor nga gasunod same direction sila.  Then, kining wing-van hinuon kumpleto man ug naa may mga lightings, tungod lang guro sa iyang kakusog (motorcycle) dili na diay sya kalusot atong pikas lane kay na occupy na sa wing van," he added.

Torres added that while Remo was trying to complete the turn, he felt a jolt from the left side of his truck. Upon checking, he found the motorcycle boarded by the three men underneath the wing van that crashed onto the left side of the van.

Remo could not be released yet as the police are still waiting for the family of the three victims to visit the station and discuss the case.

Torres said Pierson, who was driving the Yamaha scooter, died on the spot. The first back rider, Sultan, was declared dead upon arriving at the hospital.  Son, who was referred to a Cebu City hospital, died yesterday.

The victims, who reportedly did not have any protective gear like a helmet, were reportedly thrown off from their motorcycle and landed hard on the pavement.

"We're trying to confirm that. Initially, it was said that they were drunk because they were cruising at a high speed.  And it was around 1 a.m. so they may have been worried about the curfew, which may have been the reason that they were speeding," Torres said.

Torres also reminded the public to always practice defensive driving and always wear safety gear such as helmets when using a motorcycle. Aside from that, he also urged drivers to avoid speeding on the highway. — GAN (FREEMAN)