By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – A 22-year-old jeepney conductor died in a hospital on Thursday, nearly two days after falling from a modernized jeepney in Barangay Villamonte on March 4.
The victim was identified as Reynan Sigurado of Barangay Mansilingan.
Police Lt. Col. Ramel Sarona, head of the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), said the victim was assisting passengers when the jeepney’s door suddenly opened while the vehicle was moving.
Sarona, citing CCTV footage, speculated that the victim leaned on the door, which caused him to lose his balance when it unexpectedly opened.
The incident occurred at 6:20 p.m.
The victim hit his head on the pavement and was immediately rushed to Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), where he died at 12:28 p.m. on March 6.
The jeepney driver, whose name was withheld upon request, was placed under police custody for 12 hours before being released.
According to Sarona, the driver claimed that the conductor had mentioned a passenger was about to disembark, prompting him to open the door.
The jeepney operator and the victim’s family have met for an initial settlement, with the operator assuring the family of financial assistance.
Sarona said CCTV footage confirmed that the incident was purely an accident.
He reminded drivers and conductors to communicate properly and advised conductors to avoid leaning on the door to prevent similar accidents.
