A 15-year-old Grade 10 student crossing a pedestrian lane in front of a school in EB Magalona, Negros Occidental, was hit by a speeding truck and died instantaneously on Thursday, December 15.
Killed was Kevin Liscano who was crossing the highway at Brgy II-Poblacion, from the E. B. Magalona National High School where he and other students had attended a Christmas party.
The Prime Mover truck driven by Dante Cabatuan Sebuguero, 47, of Crossing Kamatis, Sagay City, hit the boy’s head and dragged him for about 10 meters before it stopped, Maj. Kenneth Jay Gratones, E.B. Magalona police chief, said on Friday.
Closed-circuit television footage showed the boy and about 10 other students crossing the pedestrian lane when the incident occurred.
The traffic enforcer signaled the truck driver to stop but he did not slow down.
Gratones said the enforcer, who was also almost hit by the truck, was able to hold back some of the students while the others were able to run. More students could have been killed, he said.
Charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide were filed against the driver who has been detained, he said.
Sebuguero tested negative for drugs and was not under the influence of liquor when the accident happened, Gratones said.
A driver of a motorcycle who saw the speeding truck approaching also jumped into a canal to avoid being hit, EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said.
Malacon said he will not allow a settlement of the case through money, justice will be sought for the boy. The driver needs to be taught a lesson, he said.
Sebuguero did not slow down as he approached the pedestrian lane and when he got off the vehicle he was even smiling, the mayor pointed out.
“We strongly condemn the driver of the hauler truck and his reckless driving that snatched the life of our young Saraviahanon in an instant,” Malacon said.
“We are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy involving a young man who had a bright future ahead of him,” said Malacon who extended his sympathies to the family of Liscano.
Malacon said he met Liscano’s parents on Friday and assured them that he will personally help and see to it that they get the justice they deserve.
The mayor extended an initial assistance of P50,000 to the family for the burial of the boy.
This is aside from the funeral assistance that the municipal government and the Office of Rep. Francisco Benitez usually gives, Malacon added.
Malacon will also shoulder the travel expenses of some Liscano family members, who are working outside Negros Occidental, so they can return to Barangay Cudangdang, EB Magalona, for the funeral.
“I also offered to finance other funeral expenses as well as incidental fees arising from the legal proceedings of the case. For now, we would like to encourage all Saraviahanons to offer prayers for the repose of Kevin’s soul,” Malacon added.
The Prime Mover Truck is registered to Lopez Sugar Corp. in Sagay City, the police said.*