By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 45-year-old rider was killed following a collision with another motorcycle evening of Feb 27, 2022 in Pototan, Iloilo.
Joel Surial, a resident of Bagangay of Cabugao, Norte, Santa Barbara, was declared dead on arrival at Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town.
Surial’s wife, 46-year-old Janette, and their daughter, 17-year-old Jasmine, were his back riders when the incident happened.
Janette and Jasmine only suffered minor injuries that did not need hospital confinement.
Staff Sergeant Richard Cabucos, Pototan PNP traffic investigator, said the family of three came from Barangay Tumcon, Pototan to visit Surial’s sick sibling.
The family was on their home on a Rusi motorcycle when the incident happened.
As they were navigating Dongsol village in Pototan, they were bumped by a Honda CB110 motorcycle driven by John Paul Tagaytayon, 28, of Barangay Jalaud Norte, Zarraga, Iloilo.
Witnesses claimed that Tagaytayon was speeding and almost sideswiped roving barangay tanods (village watchmen) at Dawis village.
At Barangay Dongsol, he overtook another vehicle, encroached the opposite lane and collided with Surial’s motorcycle.
Surial, his wife, and their daughter were thrown off their bike.
The couple had their helmet on. But Janette claimed that her husband’s helmet got detached from his head.
Cabucos said Tagaytayon was also injured. His nephew claimed the suspect may have come from Barangay Igang and had drinks with his co-workers.
Tagaytayon was also on his way home when the incident happened.
Meanwhile, Surial’s family claimed they would pursue criminal charges against the suspect.
