By Jennifer P. Rendon
A road crash on the afternoon of Feb. 19 in Pototan, Iloilo, claimed the life of a motorcycle passenger and left the driver with serious injuries.
Police identified the fatality as Epraim Losaria, a resident of Barangay Binabaan, Lambunao. The injured driver was Anthony John Gullos, 40, also of the same barangay.
Reports said the two were riding a Kawasaki Bajaj 100 motorcycle when they collided head-on with a Toyota Avanza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
The victims were traveling from Zarraga and were passing through Barangay Dawis, Pototan, when the crash occurred.
Jerson Dulatre Sandoy, 45, a family driver from Barangay Buray, Oton, Iloilo, told police that his steering malfunctioned, causing him to veer into the opposite lane and collide with the motorcycle.
Captain Jersey Besas, Pototan police chief, said the impact threw Gullos and Losaria off the motorcycle, landing them in the middle of the road.
Both sustained head and body injuries, while Sandoy was unharmed.
The victims were rushed to Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, but Losaria did not survive.
Gullos’ family has begun discussions with Sandoy’s camp and has agreed to an amicable settlement.
However, Sandoy has yet to reach a settlement with Losaria’s family.
