1 dead, 4 hurt in Tuburan accident

CEBU, Philippines - A motorcycle-for-hire driver died while four others including two minors were injured after they figured in a crash between two motorcycles along the national highway of Barangay Tres, Tuburan town last Thursday afternoon.

Police identified the fatality as John Vincent Umandac, 22, married and a resident of the town’s barangay Daanlungsod. He worked as driver of a motorcycle for hire locally known as habal-habal.

SPO1 Rommel Bancog of Tuburan Police Station narrated that Umandac was traveling towards Barangay Daanlungsod while ferrying his passenger, Lucia Tabay, 28, at past 3 p.m. when they were hit by another motorcycle travelling the other lane.

The other motorcycle was a Honda Wave driven by 20-year-old Paul Antonio Lumapas, a resident of the town’s Barangay Carmelo.

Lumapas had two backriders then, his friends and neighbor Dante Bardoquillo and Jake Monares, both 15 years old.

Bancog said Umandac was maneuvering a left turn towards the national highway heading for Daanlungsod when Lumapas, who was trailing the national highway southbound, hit him.

Witnesses said Lumapas was driving fast, Bancog said. Lumapas’ motorcycle hit the engine of Umandac’s motorcycle, which caused the two motorcycles to fall on the road.

Bancog said Umandac was thrown about seven meters away and hit his head hard on the pavement. The victim was rushed to the Tuburan District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Lumapas, Tabay, and the two minors survived the crash with fractured bones and bruises and were also treated at the hospital.

Lumapas, who only sustained minor bruises on his body, was later released from the hospital and was arrested. He is now detained while police prepare the charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against him on Monday.

Both motorcycles, which incurred major damages, are now also impounded at the police station. — (FREEMAN)