Three people were killed in three separate road accidents in the towns of Garcia Hernandez, Cortes and Batuan in just a span of one hour on Saturday night.
One of the victims was a 60-year-old man, identified as Artemio Salido, who was run over by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) while he was sleeping along a national highway in Barangay Poblacion, Batuan at past 8 p.m.
According to Chief Master Sgt. Eulogio Casilac of the Batuan Police Station, Salido was drunk and he usually slept on the road when intoxicated from alcohol.
The driver of the SUV, Erick Enad, 34, of Sagbayan told police that he did not notice Salido who was sleeping on the road, noting that he had minimal vision as an incoming vehicle at the opposite lane was using high beam.
Salido was still rushed to the Cong. Simeon Toribio Memorial Hospital in Carmen but he was declared dead on arrival.
Enad was released from police custody after reaching an amicable settlement with Salido’s family.
Meanwhile, authorities identified the other fatalities as Artemio Salarda, 49, and John Gionson, 27, who figured in motorcycle accidents in Garcia Hernandez and Cortes town, respectively.
According to Senior Staff Sgt. Cesar Palarau of the Garcia Hernandez police, Salarda was driving his motorcycle without a functioning headlight when he hit Wilfreda, Disdeque, 57, and Edwin Lagat, 40, who were crossing a national road in Barangay East Lungsodaan in Garcia Hernandez at 7:30 p.m.
Salarda crashed and was severely injured in the head as he was not wearing a helmet.
All three victims were rushed to a hospital but Salarda later succumbed to his injuries. Lagat and Diseque meanwhile continued to be treated for their injuries.
In Cortes, Gionson of Trinidad town was killed on the spot after his motorcycle figured in a head-on collision against a 10-wheeler truck owned by Shoppers’ Mart.
Sergeant Joel Orapa of the Cortes Police Station said that Gionson was driving towards Balilihan at around 7:50 p.m. when he crossed to the opposite lane while making a turn at a sharp curve in Barangay Rosario.
Gionson then slammed straight into the incoming truck driven by one Albert Arangoso, 27, of Antequera.
Arangoso remained under the custody of the Cortes Police Station pending the decision of the victim’s family to whether file a case against him or not.
He will be released on Tuesday if no charges are filed. (A. Doydora)