Pedestrian killed, another hurt in Pavia jeepney crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A pedestrian was killed while another was injured after a public utility jeepney hit them early Tuesday evening, July 7, in Pavia, Iloilo.

Police identified the fatality as alias Rouben, 22, a resident of Barangay Cabugao Sur, Pavia, where the incident happened.

Injured was alias Jamaica, 24, a resident of Silay City, Negros Occidental, who is temporarily staying in the area.

Reports said the two were walking along the roadside around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday when they were hit by a PUJ driven by a certain Antonio, 46, of Barangay Bilidan, New Lucena town.

The jeepney dragged Rouben for about five meters before it hit a parked Suzuki FW110 motorcycle owned by alias Jemar of Barangay Cabugao Sur and crashed into a mini-grocery store.

Pavia Emergency Responders rushed the two pedestrians to Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Santa Barbara town.

Rouben was declared dead on arrival, while Jamaica survived after sustaining minor injuries.

Antonio told police investigators that he had no recollection of why he hit the pedestrians.

He admitted, though, to having high blood pressure and possible Alzheimer’s disease.

Police are not discounting the possibility that Antonio’s blood pressure spiked and that he was unable to step on the brake pedal.

Criminal charges have yet to be filed against Antonio.