By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A 10-year-old student and a gas station attendant were killed in separate road accidents in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
In Calatrava town, an elementary school pupil died while two female students, aged 7 and 10, along with a tricycle driver, were injured after their vehicle fell into a 15-foot slope at Sitio Peñahon, Barangay Minautok.
Police Major Wilfredo Benoman Jr., Calatrava police chief, said the three students were on their way home from school when heavy rains occurred. The 35-year-old tricycle driver lost control while traveling downhill due to the slippery road, causing the tricycle to fall into the slope.
The 10-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries later that night. The two other students and the driver sustained minor injuries, Benoman said.
According to Benoman, both parties have reached an initial settlement.
In another incident, a gas station attendant died after colliding with a motorcycle at Purok Cabugwason, Barangay Cabug, Bacolod City, on Tuesday night.
Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), identified the fatality as Arniel Alingasa, 33, of Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Sarona reported that Alingasa had reportedly overtaken another motorcycle, leading to a head-on collision with a motorcycle driven by a 37-year-old resident of Barangay Cabug.
The older man and his 30-year-old female companion sustained minor injuries and are currently confined at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City.
Alingasa was declared dead at the hospital. Sarona also noted that none of the three involved in the accident were wearing helmets.
All three victims were on their way home when the accident occurred, Sarona said. He added that the families of Alingasa and the other party have reached an initial settlement.
