ORMOC CITY— An attempted overtaking maneuver along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Campetic, Palo town, Leyte on Thursday morning, June 4, resulted in a collision between a sport utility vehicle and a sedan driven by an American national, police said.
The accident occurred at around 10:20 a.m. and involved a 2021 Toyota Vios sedan driven by a 68-year-old United States citizen identified only as “Hemes” and a Ford Everest wagon driven by alias “Lim,” 28, of Ormoc City.
According to the Palo Municipal Police Station, officers responded to the area after receiving a report from a concerned citizen regarding the vehicular incident. Upon arrival, investigators found that the vehicles involved had already been moved from their original positions.
Initial investigation showed that both vehicles were traveling in the same direction from the BIR Junction toward Tacloban City, with the Toyota Vios positioned ahead of the Ford Everest and another vehicle situated between them.
Police said the Ford Everest attempted to overtake the vehicle in front while traversing the highway. At the same time, the Toyota Vios allegedly made a left turn, causing the two vehicles to collide in the inner lane of the roadway.
Despite the impact, both drivers escaped unharmed. However, the two vehicles sustained damage as a result of the collision.
The Toyota Vios driver is a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA, and holds a California driver’s license, while the Ford Everest driver is a resident of Baguioville Subdivision in Barangay San Pablo, Simangan, Ormoc City.
Police brought both drivers and their vehicles to the Palo Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition as the investigation continues.
(ROBERT DEJON)
