Police officer killed in road crash

The car of Police Captain Cicero “Roy” Lusterio who died after it plowed the house of Roldan dela Cruz in Brgy. Lawaan, Roxas City early Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of Roxas City police station).

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A police officer was killed after his driven vehicle overshot the road and crashed into a house in Roxas City, Capiz early morning of May 3.

Captain Cicero Lusterio, 49, a resident of Binuangan, Misamis Oriental died instantly due to severe head injuries.

Members of the Roxas City Emergency Response Team (RCERT) pulled Lusterio’s body from the wreckage.

Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Paguia, Roxas City police chief, said the victim was alone and presumably heading to the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) headquarters at Camp Teodorico Apil in Barangay Lanot, Roxas City when the incident happened.

It was assumed that he lost control of his vehicle – a maroon Mitsubishi Montero Sports SUV – while negotiating a curve at Barangay Lawaan past 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

The vehicle went downhill and hit a utility pole and several trees, before ramming through a house.

Paguia said the window on the driver’s side was open.

Police could not rule if he was wearing a seatbelt but the two airbags deployed.

Lusterio had just been promoted last year to police captain.

He was the team leader of the CPPO Tracker Team and assistant chief of the Provincial Intelligence Unit. (With a report from Felipe Celino)