Truck driver killed, helper injured in Bacolod crash

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating whether another vehicle was involved in a road accident that killed a truck driver and injured his helper at Purok Progreso, Barangay Sum-ag, early Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Alejandro Cartagena, 52, from Isabela, Negros Occidental. Police Captain Michael Tuburan, head of Police Station 9, reported that the accident occurred around 3:40 a.m. as the victim and his 33-year-old helper were heading home.

According to Tuburan, the truck was following a tricycle and a motorcycle when Cartagena attempted to overtake on the right side. He apparently did not notice an uncemented section of the road, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.

“The victim reportedly fell from the vehicle, as the truck has no door on the driver’s side. The helper managed to exit the truck before it struck a bridge and tipped onto its side,” Tuburan explained.

Cartagena succumbed to severe head injuries, while the helper sustained minor injuries.

Witnesses reported seeing a pickup truck tailing Cartagena’s truck, which may have run over the victim after he fell.

“However, it’s also possible the injuries were caused by the impact of his fall,” Tuburan said, noting that another theory is that the victim might have jumped from the vehicle.

Police are currently seeking footage from nearby closed-circuit television cameras to clarify the sequence of events.