ORMOC CITY– A 14-year old student died while nine others were injured after they were hit by a vehicle whose driver claimed tried to evade a pedestrian who was said to be crossing a street in Kananga town Friday (Jan.6) in the afternoon.
Killed was Hennie Rose Patagoc who died on the spot due to the injuries she sustained after the three-wheeled vehicle she was on board was hit by a passenger van driven by James Philip Polancos, 35 while cruising along a national highway in Sitio JNPC of Barangay Naghalin at about 3 pm.
Town police chief, Capt. Mark Ruiz, said that the driver claimed to have tried to evade a pedestrian who was crossing in the street at that time amid a heavy downpour.
This caused his vehicle to swirl after he applied brakes, hitting in the process the incoming three-wheeled motorcycle where the student was on board together with other passengers, Ruth de los Reyes, 42, a school teacher; Mary Sheba, 5; Fritzie Camay, 42, and Clint de los Reyes, 53, the driver.
The vehicle driven by Polancos also smashed another vehicle which dragged it into a variety store where five persons were taking shelter at that time due to the bad weather.
Injured were Mico Mart Pitugo, 19; Marites Gullem, 39; Rodion Cacso, 54; Jose Lindo Lucero, 56 a school teacher; and Josh, 9.
All injured victims were brought by Kananga Rescue Unit to Kananga Municipal Hospital while the driver of the passenger van was brought to Kananga municipal police station for proper disposition.
(ROBERT DEJON)
