By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A male teenager died after he was allegedly sideswiped by a van at Barangay Binicuil, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Sunday.
Police withheld the name of the 15-year-old victim from Barangay Tan-awan.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonel Guadalupe, Kabankalan City police chief, said the victim was crossing the street when the van driven by 48-year-old Raul Janagap of Silay City sideswiped the former.
The victim left his companion after buying something from a store on the opposite side of the road, he added.
Guadalupe said Janagap was driving casually on his way to Himamaylan City to visit his relatives when the accident happened. He was just alone in the car.
“He (driver) probably didn’t expect that the victim will suddenly cross the road,” Guadalupe said.
The victim was rushed to a hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
Guadalupe said Janagap is under police custody. But, he will be released from detention if no charges are filed against him after the 36-hour reglementary detention period lapses.