Rider killed, passenger hurt in Balasan crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A motorcycle rider was killed while his passenger was injured following a road crash early afternoon May 8 in Balasan, Iloilo.

Police identified the fatality only as Jenson, 35, of Barangay Anoring, Sara, Iloilo.

His passenger, 29-year-old April of Barangay Alibayog, Sara, Iloilo, was injured but survived the crash.

Police Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Alan Elambre, Balasan police traffic investigator, said Jenson and April were co-workers.

April had hitched a ride with Jenson since both were residents of Sara town.

As they were navigating the bypass road in Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan, around 1:25 p.m., a cement mixer truck hit them at an intersection.

The cement mixer truck, driven by Randy, 47, of Barangay Agpipili, Lemery, Iloilo, was on its way to a road construction site.

Elambre said both drivers might not have immediately noticed the approaching vehicles because there was a store at the side of the road.

It was also possible that both vehicles were speeding when the crash happened.

Due to the impact, Jenson and April were thrown from the motorcycle.

Members of the Balasan Emergency Response Team rushed the victims to Jesus Colmenares District Hospital, but Jenson did not survive.

April was later brought to Western Visayas Medical Center and was reportedly out of danger.

Randy voluntarily surrendered to police authorities.

He was later released after his reglementary period of detention had lapsed.

Elambre said there were talks between Jenson’s family and Randy’s camp, but the two sides did not reach an amicable settlement.

Police are expected to continue their investigation to determine whether charges will be filed in connection with the fatal crash.