Vendor ran over by jeepney

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An alleged speeding passenger jeepney ran over an elderly vendor at Barangay Tangub here Thursday morning.

Police Major Charles Gever, head of Police Station 8, identified the fatality as Nelia Bo-oc, 74, of the said village.

Gever said that Bo-oc was on the pedestrian lane when she was allegedly hit by the rear left tire of the jeepney driven by Arnold Villarta, 34, of Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

“She was carrying a basket of oysters which she was supposed to sell when the accident happened,” he added.

Bo-oc was dragged a few meters away from where she was standing. She died on the spot due to head injuries, Gever said.

Gever said the jeepney with 18 passengers was on its way to Bacolod from Pulupandan town when the accident happened. All the passengers were unharmed.

He said Villarta alleged that he didn’t see the victim on the road and it was already too late for him to stop.

He said Villarta was previously involved in a fatal accident in Bago City 10 years ago but he was able to settle it with the victim’s family.

Villarta is now under police custody and will be facing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

In a media interview, Villarta said that he has been driving jeepneys since 2002. He regretted the incident and he is asking forgiveness from the family for what happened.

“Gapangayo ko pasensya sa pamilya. Hindi ko hungod ang natabo,” he said.