Truck rolls back, crushes street sweeper

A street sweeper was killed instantly in Valenzuela City yesterday when a delivery truck loaded with plywood stalled on an uphill segment of the road, rolled back down and crushed the unsuspecting woman.

Senior Police Officer 1 Noel Palomata, city traffic investigator, said 39-year-old Celma Magcayang, an employee of the city hall’s Waste Management Office (WMO), was doing her chore at around 10:45 yesterday morning not far from her house on San Diego Street in Canumay West district.

Meanwhile, truck driver Alexander Bulan, 36, was on his way to deliver his cargo to Marilao, Bulacan when his Mitsubishi Canter developed engine trouble while negotiating an uphill portion of the street.

According to Bulan, he tried to get his truck going but it stalled and rolled downhill towards the unsuspecting Magcayang.

The victim was run over by the truck’s rear tires. She suffered severe multiple fractures in the head and body.

Bulan will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, said Palomata.

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwn Gatchalian has directed Roberto Darilag, the chief of the city government’s action center and who also supervises the WMO, to extend all benefits and assistance due Magcayang. The victim left behind four young children.