• THERESA MAE DULMAN
An elderly woman was killed and her husband injured when a speeding motorcycle struck them while crossing a pedestrian lane outside the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City at around 3:41 a.m. June 25.
The victims were identified as Rosita Patoc, 63, and her 73-year-old husband, Genaro Patoc, of Barangay Pasil in E.B. Magalona town, Negros Occidental.
The motorcycle driver, identified only as “Zyrl”, 24, and his back rider “John”, 32, both of Bacolod City, were also injured in the crash, the police said.
Authorities alleged that the two riders were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Police reports said the couple was crossing Lacson Street after leaving the hospital when the Yamaha Aerox motorcycle, traveling at an estimated 70 kilometers per hour, plowed into them as they reached the middle of the road.
The impact caused Rosita to hit her head on the pavement, resulting in her immediate death, while Genaro sustained multiple injuries.
The Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) already initiated administrative action against the motorcycle driver.
Personnel from the LTO-NIR Intelligence and Investigation Unit (IIU) went to the driver’s residence in Barangay 9, Bacolod, and served a show-cause order (SCO) as well as confiscated his driver’s license as part of the administrative proceedings, the agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon.
The SCO was received and duly-explained to the respondent’s father, who accepted the document, as both the driver and his back rider were still recovering from injuries sustained in the crash, it added.
The agency stressed that motorists are expected to exercise due care and caution at all times, particularly in areas where pedestrians have the right-of-way.
It assured the public that appropriate administrative actions will continue to be pursued against “Zyrl” while observing due process in accordance with existing regulations.
The LTO-NIR said the suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of the administrative proceedings as authorities investigate the incident. | TMD
