CEBU, Philippines - Seven people including five elementary pupils were injured after a wayward public utility jeepney hit them early morning yesterday in Barangay Guadalupe.
The victims were identified as Jasper Ian Gelimer, 10; Emmanuel Luciano, 11; Andrea Limpot, 11; Diane Hijara, 13, and Lyka Econas, 11, all of Sitio Banawa; Lareta Cabanero, 38, of Carcar City; and one other whose identity is still being checked by traffic investigator.
The victims were standing along the road waiting for a ride when the PUJ driven by Jose Maghanoy, 47, hit them. Maghanoy claimed that he lost control of the wheel while trying to stop for a red light at the junction of B. Rodriguez and M. Velez Streets.
Maghanoy said he stepped on the brake and tried to swerve the wheel to avoid hitting pedestrians but he could not anymore steer it and hit the victims in the process.
"Kita siya'g red light, ni-apply siya og brake, paglubag sa manobela di na mosakat, mao to'ng gibangga na lang niya," said Joy Tumulak, operations officer of the City Traffic Operations Management.
Four of the victims were rushed to Cebu City Medical Center while the three others were brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
Maghanoy, on the other hand, was brought to the office of the Traffic Patrol Group for questioning. Criminal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple serious physical injuries and damage to properties will be filed against him. — /FPL (FREEMAN)