Two Drivers Charged in Pregnant Nurse’s Fatal Crash

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Two drivers are facing criminal charges after a road accident that killed a six-month pregnant nurse in Barangay Taloc, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday night.

Police Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, officer-in-charge of the Bago City Police Station, confirmed Tuesday that a case of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide was filed Monday before the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The charges were filed against 30-year-old “Philip,” a resident of Barangay Cabug, and 59-year-old “Salvador” from Pulupandan town.

Pico said the inquest proceedings started at 2 p.m. and concluded by 5 p.m.

According to police investigation, the victim, 36-year-old “Maria,” was walking on a pedestrian lane on her way to work at a rural health unit in Valladolid town when she was allegedly hit by a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) driven by Philip.

The impact threw her into the opposite lane, where she was reportedly run over by a vehicle driven by Salvador.

Both drivers claimed they did not see her on the road.

Maria and her unborn child were declared dead at a hospital.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson extended his condolences to the victim’s family and pledged support from the provincial government.

“It’s very unfortunate. We will definitely extend help,” he said after learning of the incident Monday.

Police have yet to obtain closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the barangay, although videos related to the incident have circulated online.

The victim’s family has appealed to the public to stop sharing and posting the videos, asking for respect during their time of grief.

Friends and colleagues remembered Maria as a dedicated public servant.

She also volunteered as a member of the Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade’s emergency medical team.