Panitan road mishap kills vendor, injures partner

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A woman vendor died while her live-in partner was injured after the motorcycle they were riding was accidentally hit by a truck that was backing up Saturday afternoon, March 7, at Sitio Proper in Barangay Agloway, Panitan, Capiz.

Police identified the fatality as alias “Christine,” 54, of Barangay Manoling, President Roxas, Capiz.

Her live-in partner, identified as alias “Pacifico,” 63, is a resident of Barangay Solo, Pontevedra, Capiz.

The truck driver was identified as alias “Wil,” 70, of the same village.

An investigation by the Panitan Municipal Police Station indicated that the victims were heading toward a hilly portion of the feeder road on a motorcycle trailing a 10-wheeler truck when the vehicle, driven by alias “Wil,” reportedly lost control after its brakes malfunctioned.

The victims were accidentally hit as the truck moved backward.

Alias “Christine” was pinned under one of the truck’s tires, while alias “Pacifico” managed to jump off the motorcycle and sustained bruises on his body.

Responders from the Panitan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office brought the two to Bailan District Hospital, where alias “Christine” was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Authorities said the victims had just come from the town public market, where they sold agricultural products, when the accident happened.