Motorcycle rider killed in road collision

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A motorcycle rider died after he crashed into a sedan at the Bacolod-Silay Access Road in Hacienda Paet, Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.

Police identified the victim as Mark Joshua Mendez, 24, of Barangay Langub, Escalante City, a poultry farm supervisor.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Jade Dela Cruz, the motorcycle was believed to be speeding, considering the severe injuries that Mendez suffered from the impact.

Dela Cruz said that Mendez was wearing a helmet, but he succumbed to severe injuries after he hit the windshield of the car driven by 38-year-old Michael Guarino of Barangay Granada here.

Dela Cruz said that Guarino alleged that Mendez overlapped on his lane that caused the head-on-collision.

However, police failed to acquire the footage of the accident reportedly captured by Guarino’s dashcam, as it was already corrupted. “We need proof to verify his allegations,” Dela Cruz said.

Guarino was detained and was released early Wednesday after the lapse of the 18-hour reglementary detention.

Dela Cruz said that despite Guarino’s release from police custody, he waited for the victim’s family at the police station to discuss the accident.