Dump truck kills baby girl, three injured

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A seven-month-old baby girl died, while three others, including her parents, were wounded in a road accident at Sitio Pukatod, Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

The name of the fatality was withheld, while wounded individuals were identified as Jose Jingo Gantes, 32, his wife Riza Mae Clair, 23, both residents of Barangay Bi-ao, and Annabelle Geocada, 48, a pedestrian, of Barangay Payao.

Police Major Ellendie Rebusquillo, Binalbagan town police chief, said that Jose, who was driving a motorcycle, overtook a dump truck loaded with sugarcane.

But he failed to notice Geocada, who was about to cross the street, causing him to hit the latter.

Rebusquillo said that Jose then swerved and lost control of the motorcycle.

Jose and his family fell from their motorcycle. However, their baby was run over by the dump truck.

The baby succumbed to head injuries, while the three other victims suffered minor injuries.

Rebusquillo said the dump truck driver was released from police custody yesterday following a settlement.