By Jennifer P. Rendon
A policeman died after his motorcycle bumped an elderly woman who was crossing the street in Oton, Iloilo morning of Oct 18, 2021.
Staff Sergeant Benjamin Gomez, 46, a resident of Barangay Cabasi, Guimbal, Iloilo died shortly after he was brought to a hospital in Molo, Iloilo City.
Staff Sergeant Johannes Sorongon, Oton police investigator, said he suffered injuries on his face and body.
Gomez, a member of Tigbauan Police Station, was passing by Barangay Botong, Oton around 7:56 a.m. when he bumped 65-year-old Elna Dela Torre who owns a roadside eatery in Botong village.
According to reports, a passenger jeepney ahead of Gomez stopped where dela Torre was standing.
Sorongon surmised that the cop may have thought that the woman would board the jeepney.
Gomez didn’t stop nor slow down and it was too late for him to realize that the woman would cross the street.
Gomez tried to evade dela Torre but failed.
Sorongon said Gomez fell to the pavement and hit his face on the ground.
The police officer was only wearing a half-face helmet.
Members of the Oton Search and Rescue Team (OSART) took the victims to the hospital, but Gomez expired.
