Woman dies, 3 others hurt in bike accident

CEBU, Philippines - A woman was killed while three others were injured in a motorcycle accident in Sitio Tal-ot, Barangay Valencia, Carcar about 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Wilfreda Cabungcal, 56, of Sitio Lupa, Barangay Buenavista, sustained serious injuries in the head and left eye and died at the Carcar Emergency Hospital where she and the other victims were rushed for treatment.

The other victims, Retchel Jaballa, 17, a resident of Sitio Abuno, barangay Valencia, Junmark Genelaso, 8, and motorcycle driver Glecerio Abatayo, 48, only sustained minor injuries and are already declared out of danger.

The Honda Wave motorcycle with “for registration” plate driven by Abatayo was bound for Barangay Poblacion with the fatality and Jabala on board as passengers.

But while the motorcycle was descending an elevated road on Sitio Tal-ot, Genelaso allegedly suddenly crossed the road. Caught off-guard, Abatayo allegedly lost control of his motorcycle after hitting the boy causing the vehicle to run in zigzag manner before it slumped into the road.

Abatayo and Jaballa were dragged on the asphalted road while Cabungcal was thrown few meters away hitting her head in the road pavement.

Residents brought the victims to the hospital but Cabungcal died minutes later while inside the emergency room. Genelaso was later transferred to South General Hospital in Naga.

Carcar police investigator Reynaldo Fuentes told The Freeman that Abatayo lose control of the motorcycle after he hit Genelaso.

“Bisan og naka-brake pa to siya lisod gihapon tungod sa kadulhugon sa dalan,” Fuentes said.

Abatayo was arrested and detained is already charged with reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple physical injuries before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Fuentes said that if they found out that Abatayo has been using the “for registration” plate for more than seven days, he will be charged for violation of traffic rules and regulations. (FREEMAN)