Woman dies in vehicular accident

CEBU, Philippines - A 45-year-old woman died after she was rammed by a speeding dump truck that lost its brakes while traveling on the national highway of Barangay Sambagon, Pinamungajan town last Thursday afternoon.

Mercedes Canoy, 45, was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at the Pinamungajan District Hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

The driver of the dump truck, Jimmy Indino Labitad, 32, single, of Barangay Lut-od, is currently detained at the Pinamungajan police stockade pending the filing of charges for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.

PO3 Renante Mahusay, of the Pinamungajan Police Station, said it was around 1:00 in the afternoon when they received a telephone call from a concerned citizen informing them of the incident.

Initial investigation revealed that Labitad was driving a mini dump truck bearing plate number GRE-771 and owned by a certain Junjun Cerna. Labitad was heading towards Barangay Poblacion.

Mahusay said that while Cerna was traversing the national road, the rubber cap of the said vehicle exploded and he lost control of the truck.

Canoy, who was walking along the road, was rammed by the truck.

Mahusay said the truck was overloaded with passengers from the mountain area of the said barangay as it reportedly served as the transportation of those living at the mountain areas going to Barangay Poblacion especially during market day or “tabo”.

The truck is still in the custody of the police.

Mahusay said they are just waiting for the family of the victim to either file a case or amicably settle the matter.— (FREEMAN)