Man dead, 2 hurt as bus sideswipes motorcycle

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man died while his partner and four-year-old child were injured after a Ceres Liner bus allegedly sideswiped a motorcycle at Barangay Lag-asan, Bago City, Negros Occidental Thursday night.

Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, Bago City police chief, identified the fatality as Jay-ar Toledo, 33, of Valladolid town.

Wounded were his partner Edfe Marie Hilario, 32, of Pulupandan town; and their son, whose name was withheld.

Batusbatusan said Toledo was run over by a bus driven by Jerry Pasague, 44, of Barangay Felisa here, when their motorcycle went near the latter’s vehicle.

Batusbatusan said Toledo was dragged by the bus while the vehicle was about to execute a left turn.

Toledo’s partner and son were thrown away and both sustained minor injuries.

Toledo was declared dead at a hospital while the two wounded victims were discharged.

Pasague fled after what happened fearing for his safety but he surrendered to the police an hour later. He was released from police custody after the 12-hour reglementary detention.

Batusbatusan said Toledo committed traffic violations when he allowed his son to ride a motorcycle. All of them were also not wearing helmets.

The recent accident happened a day after a Ceres Liner bus also figured in an accident when it fell into a canal at Barangay Balingasag on Christmas Day, which caused minor injuries to 22 passengers, including a driver and conductor.

Meanwhile, Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) media officer Jade Seballos said the bus driver was not at fault in the accident because the motorcycle was the one who went near the bus.

But despite what happened, she said that the bus company will extend financial and medical assistance to the three victims for humanitarian consideration.