Estrada escort run over by speeding van

A police escort of deposed President Joseph Estrada was killed after he was run over by a speeding delivery truck while manning the traffic as the disgraced leader was on his way to Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City where he celebrated his 64th birthday yesterday afternoon.

Senior Police Officer 1 Norman Resol, 37, a member of the motorcycle unit of the Presidential Security Group, died on the spot of fractured bones and broken skull.

Traffic investigator SPO1 Marcelo Sabado said the traffic accident took place at around 3 p.m. along Boni Serrano Avenue, near the gate of Blueridge Subdivision, in Barangay Libis, Quezon City.

Sabado noted that Resol, who was part of the advance party of Estrada, was manning traffic along the avenue to ensure that the deposed leader and his entourage would not be caught in a traffic jam on their way to Payatas area.

However, Sonny Dagpin, 27, who was driving a delivery truck (URS-177) loaded with detergent bar, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the victim and his motorcycle.

The overspeeding truck dragged the victim and his motorcycle a few meters away from the center lane of the road. The truck stopped only after it smashed against the wall of the subdivision. The bloodied body of Resol was pinned down between the delivery truck and the wall.

"Bumaba pa rin si dating President Estrada, pero pinaayos na lang niya sa mga tao niya at tumuloy na ang convoy sa Payatas," Sabado said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe