Driver in fatal road crash released from detention

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The driver of a Mitsubishi Mirage involved in a fatal road accident at Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, Negros Occidental was released from police custody on Saturday.

Police Major Jaynick Bermudez, town police chief, said 38-year-old Froilan Samillano was released around 10 p.m., after the lapse of the 18-hour reglementary detention period.

Bermudez said no charges were filed against Samillano within the period, thus there’s no reason for him to be detained.

He said Samillano and the families of his five passengers, as well as the minor’s family had an initial settlement, but have yet to finalize everything.

He said Samillano, a family friend of the passengers, was hired to drive for them.

“We will wait. In case a complainant shows up, we will file the case on regular filing,” he added.

On February 21, four persons, including two senior citizens, and a minor died while two others were injured after the car hit a motorcycle and rammed into a gate at the said village.

The car’s passengers who were all from Isabela town were supposed to seek treatment with a faith healer in Cadiz City when they figured in an accident.

Bermudez earlier said that Samillano could have dozed off while driving, but the latter claimed that the road was too dark, which caused the accident.

The two wounded passengers are confined at a hospital here.