Driver killed, backrider-brother hurt as motorcycle collides with ambulance

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 32-year-old man was killed after the motorcycle he was driving collided with an ambulance evening of Oct 23, 2022 in Leganes, Iloilo.

Junnyford Villegas, 32, of Barangay Guinobatan, New Lucena, Iloilo succumbed to severe head injuries.

He was declared dead on arrival at Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center.

His backrider and brother, 44-year-old Junnylon Vargas, survived the incident. He is presently treated at Western Visayas Medical Center.

Staff Sergeant Leo Barnuevo, Leganes traffic police investigator, said both victims were wearing crash helmets when the incident happened.

But the helmets were shattered after they were thrown off the motorcycle.

Barnuevo said the brothers came from Iloilo City after attending a family gathering when the incident happened.

They were on their way home when the collision occurred.

As they were navigating Sitio Calamaisan in Barangay Guihaman, they allegedly encroached the opposite lane and collided with an incoming ambulance of the Pototan local government.

The ambulance’s siren was off but it’s blinker was turned on.

Following the impact, ambulance driver Ariel Quinopan, a resident of Ledesma St., Pototan came to a stop.

Consequently, the vehicle tailing it, a Chevrolet sedan driven by Ella Luna Molomog, 32, of Pavia Iloilo, hit its rear.

Fortunately, Quinopan, the ambulance passenger, and Molomog were unscathed during the collision.

Barnuevo said Quinopan was held in police custody but was released after an amicable settlement with the victims’ family.