Truck driver in deadly road mishap charged

CEBU, Philippines - The driver of the 10-wheeler Isuzu cargo truck involved in a vehicular accident in Barangay Ilihan, Tabogon, Cebu that killed three sugarcane plantation workers has been sued before the Prosecutor’s Office.

PO2 Steve Booc told The FREEMAN that Norman Monteron, 25, a resident of Caduawan, Tabogon is facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.

“Our station has already filed the complaint last Tuesday or three days after the incident before the Bogo City. It was Prosecutor Samson Troy Layesa who did the inquest,” he said, adding, that Monteron was placed under their custody.

Reportedly, Monteron tried to overtake the cargo truck driven by Juvy Pedrano, 27, of Barangay Caduawan before it fell into a 15-meter ravine that claimed the lives of three persons and injured 39 others on December 21, 2013.

The victims were mostly survivors of super typhoon Yolanda last November 8.

The casualties were identified as Juvelyn Puebla, 20; Leonard Ybañez of Caduawan; and Warren Cañas, 13. The three were pinned under the truck.

Case investigator PO3 Epifanio Comedido said that while Pedrano was on his way to Sitio San Antonio, Barangay Binabag, Bogo City, Monteron tried to overtake him. Monteron swerved right back to his lane when he saw an oncoming motorcycle and accidentally hit the truck driven by Pedrano.

Because of that, Pedrano lost control of the truck and fell 15 meters down the side of the road.

Monteron and Pedrano were reportedly unhurt during the incident.

Linda Garcia, a resident of Tabogon said that they ended up in a ravine in Barangay Ilihan after an Isuzu cargo truck with plate number GLC 26 they were riding fell. She said that another truck tried to overtake them.

Clarita Pedrosa, the mother of Juvy, told the media that her son was not drunk.

“Dili siya hubog sayo lang mi ni gikan,” she added.

Roselyn Dela Peña, 30, a resident of Ilihan, who witnessed the incident, told The FREEMAN that a cargo truck tried to  overtake the truck driven by Pedrano.

She added that because the truck tried to evade the oncoming motorcycle, it swerved right back to his lane and hit the truck driven by Pedrano.  (FREEMAN)