Rider killed after getting hit by bus transporting repatriated OFWs

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A motorcycle rider was killed after a Ceres bus transporting repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sideswiped him evening of June 9, 2020 in Passi City, Iloilo.

Jonathan Gonzales, 52, of Saligumba St., Poblacion Ilawod, Passi City, instantly died after the bus hit and eventually ran over him.

Police Staff Sergeant Rowell Dave Navarro, Passi City police investigator, said that the victim was passing through Barangay Man-it when the Ceres bus (body number 6330 and license plate FWU-193) bound for Roxas City sideswiped him.

Gonzales was rushed to Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial Dist Hospital in Passi City where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police chased the driver, who was later identified as Rodjean Datar, 31, of Rizal St., Roxas City, after he allegedly failed to help the victim.

But Navarro said Datar surrendered 8:50 a.m. Wednesday.

“He told us that he didn’t know that he sideswiped a motorist,” he said.

But the bus driver claimed that one of his passengers informed him that someone fell to the road after they passed by Passi City.

Navarro said Datar dropped most of his passengers at a facility in Roxas City and another passenger in Tapaz town. He arrived at their transport terminal in Barangay Buhang, Jaro late Tuesday evening.

It was then that a fellow driver informed him about the incident in Passi City.

Navarro said Datar opted to surrender the following morning, through their dispatcher in Passi City.

The suspect is now detained.