Truck kills pedestrian

A 36-year-old driver of a 10-wheeler truck is now facing various charges after he accidentally killed a pedestrian in his attempt to elude traffic enforcers last Tuesday in Makati City.

Ernesto Galindo, a resident of Tondo, Manila, was accosted by a traffic enforcer, identified as Renato Alvarez, at the foot of the bridge connecting Makati and Mandaluyong cities for violating the truck ban at around 8 p.m.

Traffic investigator SPO1 Miguel Descalzo said Galindo tried to to elude apprehension by stepping on the gas pedal, but the enforcer managed to climb and hold on to the side of the cargo truck.

"At the top of the bridge, the driver tried to get rid of the traffic enforcer by veering to the right side of the road," Descalzo said in his report.

Police said the driver and two helpers inside the truck then punched the traffic enforcer, causing him to fall to the pavement.

But as the truck turned right, it suddenly hit a woman who was crossing the road. The victim fell and was dragged for several meters by the truck. The driver was arrested.

Probers said the right wheels of the truck then ran over the head and body of the woman, who was declared dead on the spot.

The victim was later identified as Rochelle Latina, 27, resident of 31 Nanirahan street, Mandaluyong City. She was taken to the Filipinas Funeral Parlor.

Galindo was charged with reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and direct assault for hitting the traffic enforcer. – Edu Punay