Modern jeep driver suffers stroke then hits, kills cyclist

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A modernized jeepney driver is in critical condition after suffering a stroke while driving, resulting in a collision that killed a cyclist Friday morning in Iloilo City.

The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on Oct. 10 along Avanceña Street in Barangay Poblacion, Molo district.

The driver, identified only as alias Conrado, a resident of Upper Bicutan, Taguig City, was first taken to Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital before being transferred to the Western Visayas Medical Center.

Master Sgt. Jessie Cabial Jr. of the Iloilo City Police Office–Traffic Enforcement Unit (ICPO-TEU) said the driver remains in the hospital’s intensive care unit as of this writing.

The crash killed a cyclist identified as alias Noel, 57, of Avanceña Village, Dulonan, Arevalo district.

Cabial said the modernized jeepney dragged the cyclist for about 10 meters before slamming into a bollard at a nearby gasoline station.

Noel sustained multiple abrasions and complained of pain in his hip and stomach before being brought to the hospital for surgery.

He was pronounced dead at around 10:40 a.m. the same day.

Initial investigation showed the jeepney had just left its garage in Barangay Calumpang and was carrying several passengers at the time of the accident.

As the vehicle was making a right turn, the driver reportedly suffered a stroke, lost control, hit the cyclist, and crashed into the gasoline station.

A pump attendant said he tried to get the driver’s attention after seeing the cyclist hit but realized the driver had suffered a stroke.

No passengers were injured in the incident, according to police.