Ambulance driver killed, three hurt in road collision

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – An ambulance driver died while three others were injured in a multiple car accident along San Sebastian-Lacson Streets, Barangay 32 here yesterday.

Killed in the accident was Jessie James Tranilla, according to the police.

Police identified the wounded victims on board the ambulance as Maria Cajeras, 30, a nurse; Jose Francisco Sombero III, 38, an auxilliary; and Vicente Limaco, 78, of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, a patient.

Major Jovil Sedel, head of Police Station 1, said a sports utility vehicle (SUV) driven by 21-year-old Kenny Arillo of Barangay Alijis here, reportedly crashed into the ambulance driven by Tranilla.

The ambulance was supposed to transport Limaco to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here when the accident happened, Sedel said.

Tranilla lost control of the vehicle and hit a canter truck driven by Genesis Graellos who was driving from the opposite direction, Sedel said.

The ambulance then fell on its side due to the impact.

Tranilla was rushed to CLMMRH where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Cajeras and Sombero were taken to South Bacolod Hospital while Limaco was taken to CLMMRH.

Cajeras underwent a surgery due to serious injuries while the two other wounded victims were in stable condition, Sedel said.

Sedel said Arillo is detained at the police station, while Graellos was also invited at the station for further investigation.

Sedel said Arillo’s family already signified to extend any help to the victims’ families.

Arillo will be released from police custody if no charges will be filed against him within the 18-hour reglementary detention period.