• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three people died while 16 others were hurt after a speeding Toyota Innova vehicle, driven by an Indian national, triggered a road crash involving multiple vehicles, also injuring several Catholic devotees who were participating in a procession on Good Friday, April 18, in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City.
The initial police investigation showed that a red Toyota Innova vehicle driven by Jagpret Sidhu Singh, a 37-year-old Indian national, was on its way to Brgy. Granada in Bacolod City, when it collided with the Rusi motorcycle with a sidecar with four passengers, driven by Jonelo Solano, a 66-year-old lay minister.
In a press briefing on Saturday, P/Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office chief, disclosed that the tricycle had already reached the front of the procession, beyond a police patrol car securing the activity, when it was hit by the wayward vehicle driven by the Indian national.
As a result of the collision, the motorcycle was split into half and it also hit a police patrol car that was leading the procession, a blue Isuzu multicab vehicle, and some of the participating devotees, according to the police.
Solano died on the spot, while barangay tanod Gerwin Tanique died at the hospital. Dynha Plohinog, a student at La Consolacion College in Bacolod City, died on Saturday, police said.
Coronica said that Singh, along with four other Indian nationals on board the Toyota Innova, attempted to escape but were arrested by the police about a kilometer away from the scene of the incident.
Among the 16 injured were two policemen and several minors. Thirteen of the victims are still being treated in different medical facilities, as of press time.
Coronica also disclosed that Singh tested positive on the liquor test, which bolstered earlier reports that he was driving under the influence.
Expressing sympathy for the families of the victims, and praying for the swift recovery of the injured persons, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the traffic and law enforcement units to ensure that a strong case will be filed so that justice is served.
Coronica said that Singh will be facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property, as well as violation of the Republic Act 1086, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
The Diocese of Bacolod mourned the death of Solano, Tanique and Plohinog.
In a statement, Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon said the diocese “stands in solidarity with all the affected families, especially those of the deceased.”
“We are deeply grieved by the tragic incident. We are offering our prayers, support, and compassion in this time of mourning. We continue to pray for those who were injured, that they may find healing and quick recovery,” he added.*
