Girl, 5, killed in road mishap

CEBU, Philippines - A five-year-old girl died after a passenger bus ran over her in Barangay El Pardo, Boljoon town shortly before noon  yesterday.

Jeven Andrie Acedo died on her way to the hospital. The victim was hit by a Sunrays Bus when she suddenly crossed the national highway after alighting from a tricycle.

She was with her grandmother Maria Elvie Sestoso, 60, who fetched her from the day care center to bring her home. PO1 Lord Canada of the Boljoon Police Station said that the bus driver, Nonito Talasalan, 47, hit the victim while trying to overtake the tricycle ridden by the latter and her grandmother.

The grandmother did not notice the victim crossing the highway as she was waiting for the change from the tricycle driver.

The girl was halfway through the other side of the highway when the bus hit her. She was thrown a few meters away and was eventually run over by the rear tire of the bus.

Talasalan rushed the victim to Cebu City but she died before reaching the hospital. She was declared dead on arrival at the Carcar City District Hospital.

The bus driver voluntarily surrendered to the police and is now detained at the Boljoon Police Station.

Gilbert Lasaga, operations manager of Sunrays Bus Liner, said Talasalan has been employed with the company for 13 years now.

Lasaga said they are willing to settle the obligation with the family of the victim to avoid possible filing of a criminal case in court.

“Aksidente man g’yud ‘to, wala tuyoa. (It was an accident. It was not intentional),” Lasaga said.

The bus company will extend a total of P100,000 as financial and burial assistance to the family. — (FREEMAN)