Motorcycle Rider Dies, Companion Hurt in Iloilo Crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A young motorcycle rider died while his lady companion survived a vehicular incident on the evening of April 26 in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Police identified the fatality as Julius Bolivar Montales, 23, of Barangay Buyahon, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

His backrider, 22-year-old Frell Aida Osano Depon of Purok 1, Barangay Pase, San Dionisio, sustained minor injuries.

Reports said the victims were navigating Barangay Bolong Oeste, Sta. Barbara, when they collided with a passenger jeepney.

The victims came from Iloilo City and were headed to Poblacion, Sta. Barbara, when the incident occurred.

Jeepney driver Sulficio Sancada Vallejo, 39, of Barangay Tiring, Cabatuan, Iloilo, was maneuvering a U-turn when the collision happened.

Captain Raphy Señeres, Sta. Barbara police chief, said the jeepney had already occupied a portion of the lane when the motorcycle bumped into it.

Señeres said the victims could have been speeding at the time of the incident.

He also noted that neither rider nor backrider was wearing a crash helmet.

The duo was brought to Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara town but was later transferred to Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.

Señeres said he was informed that Julius was pronounced dead early afternoon of April 27.

Her companion, on the other hand, was already discharged from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the jeepney driver was released from police custody after the investigation showed that he was not at fault.

Vallejo assured the victim’s family that he would provide financial assistance.