3 dead, 14 hurt in collision

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three motorcycle riders died while 14 others, including nine minors were injured in a collision at Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental early Saturday, November 2.

Killed were motorcycle driver Arnold Villeran, 23, of Barangay Poblacion; and his two companions who were later identified as Jun Art Mariposque, 17, and Angelo Espadera, 17, both residents of Barangay Calumangan.

Wounded were passenger jeepney driver Christopher Pantallon, 32, of Barangay Mantaangan, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental; and his passengers namely – Susana Novero, 46, Josie Marie Novero, 46, and Jessica Novero, 43, all residents of Barangay Pahanocoy here; Julie Novero, 32, of E.B. Magalona town; and the minors aged six to 16.

Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, city police chief, said the collision happened when an alleged speeding motorcycle reportedly overlapped on the opposite lane and hit the jeepney on its way to Himamaylan City.

Batusbatusan said the Novero family rented the jeepney from Bacolod for a cemetery visit in Himamaylan City when the accident happened around 4:30 a.m.

Batusbatusan said the two motorcycle riders died on the spot due to head injuries while their companion later expired at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here.

“They were allegedly under the influence of alcohol and were not wearing helmets when it happened,” he added.

All the 13 passengers of the jeepney sustained minor injuries and were discharged from the hospital but Pantallon sustained serious injuries and is confined at CLMMRH.

Batusbatusan said that Pantallon underwent surgery yesterday.