Cop injured in vehicular accident

CEBU, Philippines -  A policeman rushing to respond to an incident ended up being injured after he was hit by a speeding taxicab along Osmeña Boulevard late Wednesday night.

Police Officer 2 Michael Baylon, 30, assigned at the Motorcycle Response Unit of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), reportedly suffered a broken leg and bruises owing to the accident.

Reynaldo Nadonza, 37, driver of the MRG Taxi (GXG 154), was reportedly also rushing to bring his sick passenger to the hospital.

PO2 Edgardo Becoy, investigator from the Traffic Patrol Group of CCPO, said Baylon, 30, was rushing towards Kinalumsan Bridge in C. Padilla St., Barangay Duljo Fatima, to respond to an armed person alarm when the road accident happened at past 11 pm.

Baylon, who drove a government-issued Honda XRM motorcycle, reached P. Del Rosario St. corner Osmeña Boulevard, when he was hit by the taxicab.

Becoy said that the taxi driver was also rushing towards the Cebu City Medical Center, which was just a few meters ahead, where he was supposed to bring his passenger, a child who was reportedly having difficulty breathing.

Both the police and the taxi driver were heading towards the same direction, Becoy said.

The report further showed that the cab’s hazard lights were on while Baylon’s siren was also turned on.

As a result of the impact, the policeman was thrown off his motorcycle towards the hood of the taxicab before he finally landed on the pavement.

Becoy said Baylon suffered wounds and bruises on his body and was taken to the Chong Hua Hospital. The policeman reportedly broke his leg and underwent operation yesterday morning.

Nadonza was held in custody while his passenger was transferred to another taxicab.

The taxi driver was later released after the taxi operator and Baylon reportedly agreed to have the matter amicably settled and accepted that both were rushing for emergency purposes.

The taxi operator also paid Baylon’s hospital bills. (FREEMAN)