Call center agent dies in road accident

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A 38-year-old call center agent of Transcom Worldwide Philippines in this city died after she was hit by a van while crossing the pedestrian lane in front of her employer's building at the Araneta highway here Monday night, police said.

The victim was identified as Tricia Abat of Talisay City, Negros Occidental by traffic investigator PO2 Orlando Caporal.

Initial investigations showed that Abat was crossing the highway when the Mitsubishi L300 van of Leon Chio Go Ang, 50, of Brgy. Tangub Bacolod City, that was heading south of the Araneta highway, hit her.

Abat was dragged by the vehicle about 15 meters away from the point of impact and the van's windshield was destroyed, Caporal said.

Abat sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, where she was declared dead on arrival, Caporal said.

Ang told the police that he failed to notice Abat crossing the street because the area was not well lighted, he said.

Ang is now detained at Police Station 8 and his vehicle is also impounded there, Caporal said.

Reckless imprudence resulting to homicide will be filed against Ang if there is no settlement between him and Abat's family, he added. - THE FREEMAN