‘Habal-habal’ driver killed, passenger hurt in road mishap

Police respond to a road accident that killed a motorcycle-for-hire driver, and wounded his passenger in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Thursday. (Photo courtesy of San Carlos City Police Station)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A motorcycle-for-hire or “habal-habal” driver died while his passenger was injured after they were hit by a dump truck loaded with liquid fertilizer in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last Thursday.

Police identified the fatality as Joeramie Azucenas, 45, of the said village.

Wounded was Glory Jean Fe Cerbolles.

Police Lieutenant Ruby Aurita, deputy police chief of San Carlos City Police Station, said the truck was tailing the motorcycle when it lost control and sideswiped the latter.

“Nag sige-sige busina ang truck driver para magpahigad tani ang motor kay nawad-an siya preno, pero ulihi na lang sang nabalikdan siya, lapit na kaayo so alang-alang na nga makalikaw,” she added.

Aurita said Azucenas succumbed to serious injuries, while his passenger suffered minor injuries.

Aurita said the truck driver is detained at the police station and will be released after the 18-hour reglementary detention.

She added that both parties already had an initial settlement.