Passi City crash driver freed after detention lapse

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The 20-year-old driver involved in a deadly road crash in Passi City, Iloilo, was released from jail after no case was filed against him within the reglementary period.

Police Staff Sgt. Lenie Rose Piamonte, investigator of the Passi City Police Station, confirmed that alias “Rhick” was released at about 4:30 a.m. on April 21 after the 18-hour reglementary period lapsed.

Rhick was the driver of a Nissan Frontier Navara that left two people dead and injured six bystanders.

The crash happened at about 8:30 a.m. on April 20 in Barangay Aglalana, about 10 kilometers from Passi City proper.

Police said the pickup truck was speeding, swerved into the opposite lane, and hit a motorcycle driven by alias “Jerald,” 22, of Barangay Aglalana, Passi City.

The motorcycle’s back rider was identified as alias “Arnold,” 40, of Magdungao, Passi City.

The pickup truck then hit a tricycle and plowed into a group of bystanders identified as alias “Ashly,” 2; “Claire,” 21; “Raymark,” 27; “Jennifer,” 19; “Joy,” 33; and “Prince,” 3, all residents of Barangay Aglalana, Passi City.

Joy and the two child victims remain hospitalized.

The three other injured victims have already gone home after receiving treatment.

Piamonte said Rhick’s camp had already reached a settlement with Jerald’s family.

She said the victim’s relatives had executed an affidavit of desistance.

The injured victims also told police they would no longer pursue a case against Rhick after reaching an agreement with his family.

Piamonte said police had advised Arnold’s family about the filing of a case and the possibility that the suspect could be released if no charges were filed within the reglementary period.

“However, the family hasn’t decided on the matter,” she said.

Police said Rhick, a student from Malic Street, Barangay Ilawod, Pontevedra, Capiz, was on his way to Iloilo City with his older brother, Gian, 24, when the crash happened.