By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – An incumbent village councilman died after being sideswiped by a 10-wheeler truck loaded with an empty container van in Barangay Banago yesterday.
Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), identified the fatality as Kagawad Jomarie Maniego, 60, of Barangay Banago.
Sarona stated that Maniego reportedly suddenly crossed the road and failed to notice the approaching truck driven by a 59-year-old resident of Victorias City, Negros Occidental. The truck hit a sack of butane canisters on Maniego’s motorcycle, causing him to lose control.
Maniego fell from his motorcycle, but the truck allegedly dragged it, causing him fatal injuries. The accident occurred around 11:10 a.m., and Maniego died on the spot.
The truck driver was placed under police custody at Police Station 3 for further investigation. In an interview with Brigada News FM Bacolod, the driver apologized to Maniego’s family, stating it was purely an accident.
Sarona mentioned that the police are waiting for a meeting between Maniego’s family and the employer of the truck driver to discuss the incident.
Meanwhile, the barangay council and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) council of Banago expressed deep sadness over Maniego’s sudden passing.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends who have been affected by this heartbreaking loss,” the barangay council said in a Facebook post.
