In barangay Pit-os: Girl, 4, killed in truck accident

A four-year-old girl was crushed to death by coconut lumber while six others were injured after a small truck was hit by a bigger truck in barangay Pit-os yesterday afternoon.

PO3 Anthony Deligero, investigator of the Traffic Group of Cebu City Police Office, identified the casualty as Kayla Casimero, a resident of barangay Cabangahan, Consolacion town.

The girl was with her relative Nelson Casimero, 50, and their neighbors Reynard Lou Perez, 26; Irwin Puebla, 24; Rogelio Panangin, 44; and Christopher Regis, 33; riding a Toyota Dyna truck with license plate TMP-609 driven by Herdito Gamalil, 49.

According to Deligero the truck was carrying coco lumber and negotiating an uphill curve heading to barangay Cabangahan, Consolacion town, when it was hit by another truck coming downhill and pinned to the side of the hill.

Deligero identified the driver of the other truck as Julieto Berdenisa, 33, of barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City. The truck is owned by Primary Structures Inc. and was loaded with limestone being delivered to Consolacion.

Berdenisa said his brakes failed while he was driving on the curve of the narrow road and hit the smaller truck as he struggled to keep his own truck from slipping over the edge.

“Kurbadahon man ni patuo nagsugat sila, nibuto man daw ning brake aning usa maong nadiretso kabangga,” Deligero said.

Because of the impact, the smaller vehicle was pinned to the side and the passengers, some of whom were sitting on top of the loaded coconut lumber, were thrown onto the road.

The girl was reportedly crushed to death by the lumber.

The victims were immediately rushed to the North General Hospital where the girl was declared dead. Berdenisa, fearing retribution from the residents, immediately left the scene and surrendered to the Talamban police.

The police are set to file charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to property against Berdenisa tomorrow.  —Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP