Pick-up truck rams motorcycle; two persons killed

CEBU, Philippines — A motorist and her backrider died after the motorcycle they were riding was rammed by a speeding pick-up truck along Trans-central Highway in Barangay Gaas in Balamban town yesterday morning.

The police identified the fatalities as certain Deal Estrada, 30, of Barangay Guadalupe and the driver of the motorcycle, and her backrider , a certain Winston Alatraca, 22, of Barangay Labangon, all of Cebu City.

The pick-up truck driver was identified as certain Kirk Mharwin Labiste, 22, of Lawaan 2, Talisay City. His passenger was identified as Restle Cardama, 18.

Initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle driven by Estrada was travelling to Balamban from Cebu City while Labiste was driving in the opposite direction.

"Nagtungas man ni siya (Deal) nya palugsong sad ning pick-up padung sa Cebu City, nawad-an ni og control kaning pick-up didto nasubay sa linya sa motor mao to’ng nahulog nga siya juy nibangga ngadto sa motor," said Police Staff Sergeant Donard Pitogo, traffic investigator of Balamban Police Station.

Due to the impact of the crash, the motorist and her backrider were thrown off several meters away along with the motorcycle. They sustained multiple injuries and were then brought to the hospital.

Estrada however was declared dead on arrival while Alatraca died an hour after.

Pitogo said that further investigation revealed that it was Labiste who was at fault in the accident when his brake malfunctioned.

"Sya may wa kakuha sa kurbada, sya may nibangga ngadto sa motor, ang iyang rason nawad-an siyag brake fluid, ing-ana daw, pero murag kusog-kusog jud iyang dagan, kay nalagpot man jud og layo-layo ning motor," said Pitogo.

Pitogo also personally assessed that the area is not an accident-prone one.

Authorities are awaiting the decision of the fatalities' families whether to file charges against the pick-up driver.

Labiste is now currently detained at Balamban Police Station. — GMR (FREEMAN)