Student killed in road crash

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A college student died after his motorcycle rammed into a concrete guard rail at Barotac Viejo, Iloilo evening of March 20.

Jethro John Plantig, 21, a resident of Barangay Ugasan, Barotac Viejo, sustained injuries on his head and other parts of his body.

He was rushed to Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr. District Hospital in Barotac Viejo but was declared dead on arrival.

Staff Sergeant Gilbert Balayo, Barotac Viejo traffic police investigator, said Plantig was driving from their house in Ugasan village to their other house in the town proper when the incident happened.

As he was passing through Barangay California around 10 p.m. Monday, he allegedly lost control of his Honda XRM motorcycle and crashed into the concrete structure at the bridge approach.

Balayo said residents in the area surmised that the victim may have been speeding.

While the road was straight, he veered to the right and crashed into the concrete structure.

Due to the impact of the incident, the victim was thrown off his bike for several meters.

His motorcycle’s exhaust landed on the river below the bridge while the motorcycle seat was found several meters from the body.

Balayo said the victim may have been drunk when the incident happened.

Plantig was also not wearing a crash helmet.