1 dead, 2 hurt in traffic accident

MANILA, Philippines - A woman was killed while her mother and younger sister were badly hurt when a speeding car hit them as they were walking to church in Mandaluyong City Sunday.

Nikki Joy Jayona, 23, a receptionist at Office Lux in Boni Avenue, died on the spot from head and body injuries. Jayona’s mother, Ma. Teresa, and 17-year-old sister Nicole have been confined at the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center.

Police said the women were crossing the westbound lane of Shaw Boulevard in Barangay Highway Hills, on their way to attend Sunday Mass, when they were hit by a Honda Citi (NTO-231) allegedly driven by Joseph Tolentino, 21, at around 6:30 a.m.

According to a police report, Tolentino – instead of helping bring the women to the hospital – dashed out of his vehicle and tried to flee, but a concerned citizen chased him on a motorcycle. Tolentino was turned over to the custody of police officers who responded to the accident.

Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Mandaluyong City police chief, ordered an investigation to determine whether Tolentino was drunk at the time of the accident.