Baby dies, parents hurt in Zamboanga mishap

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A motorcycle rider who tried to evade and save from hitting a crossing iguana was bumped Thursday by a speeding mini-truck, killing his four-month-old baby and wounding his live-in partner in a village east of this city, according to police.

The police said the two-foot long iguana missed by the motorcycle rider was unfortunately ran over by the same truck.  

Police Station 3 identified the victims as Albert Torres, 32; Angery Galia Casimiro, 30 and the four-month-old baby, Ashly Casimiro Torres; residents of Barangay Victoria.

The driver of the mini-truck with plate number GSM-122 was identified as Reneboy Quijano Carano, 26, a native of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Police investigation disclosed that Torres, his wife and baby on board the motorcycle was on their way to the nearby health center when an iguana suddenly crossed their path along the Maria Clara Lobregat Highway in Barangay Victoria about 8:25 a.m. Thursday.

Torres veered his motorcycle to the side of the road to avoid the reptile.

However, the tailing truck overran the lizard, hitting Torres who was trying to return to the road lane.

The victims were thrown out of the motorcycle as a result of the impact.

The four-month old baby died while undergoing treatment in a government hospital.

The truck driver surrendered to the police and was detained pending the filing of formal charges.