By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three persons, including an infant, were killed while six others were wounded in two road crashes involving motorcycles in San Lorenzo, Guimaras.
The first incident happened around 1:30 p.m. on March 19 at Barangay Suclaran. The crash killed Michael Nono, 34, of Barangay Constancia, San Lorenzo, and 7-month-old boy Germel Aydel.
The incident also wounded Germel’s parents, live-in partners Guemel Martir, 25, and Crizel Ann Gadian, 25, both of Barangay Cabungahan, San Lorenzo.
Also injured were Lizyl Gabasa, 32, her 5-year-old daughter, and Nono’s 7-year-old daughter.
According to Captain Andres Somes Jr., San Lorenzo police chief, the incident happened between a private-use tricycle driven by Martir and a motorcycle driven by Nono with his child as a back rider.
Nono was allegedly navigating the provincial road along Suclaran when he crashed into the sidecar of the tricycle, which was running in the opposite direction.
It was assumed that Nono may have been drunk when the incident happened. He and his daughter were also not wearing crash helmets.
Witnesses said that he appeared to be driving unsteadily as he was zigzagging in and out of his lane.
Martir tried to evade the motorcycle but it still hit the left portion of his tricycle where his son was riding.
The victims were immediately rushed to Dr. Catalino G. Nava Provincial Hospital but Nono and the infant were declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, at 10:35 p.m. on March 20, another road crash involving a motorcycle was recorded at Barangay Sapal, San Lorenzo.
The incident claimed the life of the driver, Anthony Timigan, 40, also a resident of Sapal village.
It also injured his neighbor, 23-year-old Daniel Gamilong.
According to reports, the motorcycle crashed into a roll-up store.
The victim, who was believed to be drunk as well, was navigating a curb when he overshot and rammed into the store.
Timigan succumbed to head injuries while Gamilong suffered bruises and abrasions in different parts of his body.
They were also rushed to the same hospital where Timigan was declared dead on arrival.
