1 dead, 5 injured in Bago road crash

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man died while five others were injured after a tricycle allegedly hit a motorcycle at Purok Masinadyahon, Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental Wednesday, November 13.

Police identified the fatality as Jojo Divinagracia, 37, of the said village.

Wounded were tricycle driver Raymar Componion, 21, of Barangay Poblacion; and passengers – Nielven Yasay, 22, John Stephen Navas, 19, and Jesrel Teodosio, 21, all residents of Barangay Balingasag; and Kerwin Castro, 26, of Barangay Lag-asan.

Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, city police chief, said Divinagracia was about to execute a left turn on his way to work in a slaughterhouse, when Componion, who was tailing him, allegedly hit the rear part of the motorcycle.

Due to the impact, Divinagracia was thrown to the opposite lane and was reportedly ran over by an alleged speeding 10-wheeler truck driven by John Rey Arita, 31, of Barangay Barbas 1, Cadiz City.

“Arita tried to avoid Divinagracia on the road but it was already too late,” the police chief said.

Divinagracia died on the spot while Componion and his four passengers, who were supposed to go to Valladolid town, were brought to a hospital.

Batusbatusan said Componion and Yasay are still confined at a hospital here due to serious injuries while three others sustained minor injuries and were already discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, Batusbatusan said that Arita was already released from police custody since he has no liability on the accident that happened.

His employer also signified to extend financial assistance to Divinagracia’s family, he added.

He also said that Divinagracia’s family has yet to decide on the filing of charges against Componion, who initially caused the accident.