Three dead, 27 wounded in Holy Week road mishaps

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three persons were killed, while 27 others were wounded in separate road accidents in Negros Occidental on Black Saturday, April 8, 2023.

In Victorias City, a woman died while seven others, including a Chinese national, were wounded after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) collided with a tricycle at Barangay 21 around 1:05 a.m.

Police identified the fatality as Marjorie Magallanes, 36, of Barangay 14.

Police Captain Genus David, deputy chief of Victorias City Police Station, said that an SUV driven by a 38-year-old Chinese national was on its way to the southern part of the province when it overlapped on the tricycle‘s lane.

David said that the SUV driver was believed to be speeding when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a tricycle loaded with a family of seven, including three minors.

The family came from “Visita Iglesia” or church visits and was on their way home when the accident happened, he added.

David said the SUV driver alleged that the area was somehow dark and that he had a few drinks. He was with his wife and their friend in the vehicle, the deputy chief added.

Magallanes was declared dead in the hospital, while her six companions, including the tricycle driver, and the Chinese couple’s 32-year-old friend were wounded and were taken to a hospital here.

The Chinese couple was unharmed in the incident, according to David.

Police are waiting for the decision of the victims regarding the filing of a case against the Chinese national driver, who is detained at the police station.

Later that day in Sagay City, two minors died, while three others were wounded in another accident around 1:15 p.m. at Purok Singbinco, Barangay Plaridel.

The names of the fatalities – a 12-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old boy – were withheld.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr., Sagay City police chief, said that a Prime mover truck loaded with 16 persons, including the driver, collided with a tricycle parked at the roadside and then overshot into the sugarcane plantation.

Indiape said truck driver Vengie Noynay, 35, of Barangay Rafaela Barrera was allegedly speeding, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.

Noynay, who is the uncle of the two fatalities, was allegedly drunk as they came from an outing. He was reportedly advised to slow down by his relatives and their other companions, but he allegedly kept his speed.

Indiape said the two kids were sitting on the truck’s bumper, which is prohibited, as it is not safe.

The two kids fell from the truck due to the impact and were declared dead in the hospital.

The three wounded persons suffered minor injuries and were already discharged from the hospital, he added.

When police responded to the accident, Noynay allegedly punched a policeman.

Indiape said that Noynay’s 33-year-old relative, who was also reportedly drunk, allegedly obstructed the police during the commotion.

Police Staff Sergeant Ronnie Gamboa suffered injuries in the nose and face, according to Indiape.

Charges for direct assault will be filed against Noynay and his companion, while policemen are waiting for the decision of the victims’ family regarding the filing of case pertaining to the accident, Indiape said.

Meanwhile, in Manapla town, at least 14 passengers of a Ceres Liner bus were injured after the bus fell on its side while evading a motorcycle in Barangay Purisima, Manapla at about 5 a.m.

Based on initial information, the passenger bus and the motorcycle were traveling on their way to Bacolod when the motorcycle rider hit a bump and went to the lane of the bus.

The rider then abandoned his motorcycle and could not yet be located while the bus driver was placed under police custody for further investigation.

Meanwhile, three persons were wounded when a Canter truck also fell on its side in Barangay Sta. Teresa, Manapla town.