3 asleep on pavement killed by speeding car

MANILA, Philippines—Three people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed while two others were injured after a speeding car hit them as they were sleeping on the pavement, just a few meters away from a busy street in Quezon City early Monday.

The fatalities were identified as Manuel Maming, 23, a pedicab driver; his girlfriend, Roan Reyna, 18; and two-year-old Wendy Peraleja.

Maming died on the spot while Reyna and Peraleja passed away as they were being treated at the nearby United Doctors Medical Center.

The young girl’s mother, Lani, sustained injuries as well as a tricycle driver identified as Russel Lumugdang. They were also treated at UDMC.

The accident happened at 4:45 a.m. Monday in front of a BPI Family Bank branch on Quezon Ave. near Welcome Rotunda, which marks the boundary between Quezon City and Manila.

Chief Inspector Reynaldo Medina of the Quezon City Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit said they arrested the driver of the speeding car, Christian Charles Lim, a college student.

Lim claimed he was on his way to Manila when a taxi cab overtook his car and then suddenly cut in front of his Honda Civic (plate no. TLZ 972).

According to traffic investigator Police Officer 1 Jun Policarpio, the car veered out of control and slammed into a jeepney waiting for passengers at the corner of Kanlaon St.

Lim’s car then ran over the five victims, who were sleeping on flattened cartons and makeshift mats on the pavement in front of the bank.

Police, however, said no charges would be filed against Lim after the victims’ families reached an amicable settlement with him.