By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz—The owner of the 10-wheeler truck involved in a fatal accident that killed two people and injured 12 others on Tuesday morning, August 13, in Poblacion Norte, Ivisan, Capiz, has pledged to cover all burial and hospital expenses for the victims.
Atty. Alfredo Arungayan, the lawyer for Iloilo NKS Marketing—whose driver, Ryan Bengan Molato, 39, of Purok 8, Tarong, Carles, Iloilo, was behind the wheel—confirmed that the company will also shoulder the damages resulting from the accident.
On Wednesday, August 14, during a confrontation and dialogue with the victims at the town civic center, Arungayan expressed the truck owner’s apologies and conveyed his request for forgiveness.
Arungayan represented the truck owner in the discussions with the victims.
The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of Maricel Sargento, 39, a street sweeper, and Jose Navarra, 66, both residents of Poblacion Norte, Ivisan, Capiz.
Additionally, 12 other individuals were injured in the incident on Tuesday morning, August 13.
The 10-wheeler truck experienced mechanical trouble and plowed into 29 vehicles, including a gasoline station and several stalls, on that fateful morning in Poblacion Norte, Ivisan, Capiz.
Sargento, a resident of Poblacion Sur, was declared dead on arrival at Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital after her head was crushed by the truck’s tire.
Navarra was struck by a passenger jeepney that had been hit by the truck while at a gasoline station.
The other injured individuals were transported by rescue vehicles from nearby towns to various hospitals in Roxas City.
According to police reports, Sargento fell from the motorcycle driven by her husband. Her head and body were severely crushed by the truck’s tire.
The investigation revealed that the truck was en route from Balasan, Iloilo, to Kalibo, Aklan, to deliver construction materials when its brakes failed in Barangay Sta. Cruz, about 2 kilometers from Ivisan town proper.
The driver and his four crew members attempted to warn bystanders to clear the road as the brakes malfunctioned.
The damaged vehicles included seven tricycles, 13 motorcycles, one white Suzuki, one black Strada pick-up, two jeepneys, one multicab, one e-tricycle, and one trisikad. The gasoline station owned by the Yap family and several roadside stalls were also damaged.
The incident occurred on a market day in Ivisan.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
Police Major Ruby Magallanes, Ivisan PNP chief, said Molato tested negative for illegal drugs.
The driver and his four crew members were released from police custody on August 14 after the detention period lapsed.
However, Molato will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries, reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, and reckless imprudence resulting in multiple property damage.
Magallanes noted that the driver and his crew were in shock following the incident.
Mayor Felipe Neri Yap has directed Municipal Engineer Arthur Adricula to assist the victims. The mayor, who was on official travel at the time of the incident, pledged financial assistance to the victims.
