1 dead, 6 hurt in separate Lucena motorcycle accidents

LUCENA CITY – A motorcycle rider died and six other riders were injured in two separate accidents here early Wednesday, police said.

A report from the Lucena police, said a driver, with two riders on board a motorcycle, accidentally slammed into a concrete center island in Barangay Ibabang Iyam at around 4:20 a.m.

Police said the still unidentified male driver of the motorcycle died on the spot because of the impact.

Police said the two back riders, Raymond Glorioso Abiar, 18, and another still unidentified man, sustained serious injuries and were rushed by rescuers to the Quezon Medical Center.

Citing initial medical findings, police said the two were found to be drunk.

Earlier, another motorcycle carrying four riders also accidentally crashed into an electric pole along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Kanlurang Mayao around 2 a.m.

Police said driver Kieltres Triunfo, 17, and passengers John Harold Natal, 14; Claudine  Grimaldo, 19; and Gracia Buenaobra, 18, sustained injuries and were rushed to the MMG hospital.

Report said the victims were all found to be under the influence of alcohol.

All victims were also not wearing helmets for protection, according to investigators.

Wearing crash helmets for all riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles is mandated under Republic Act No. 10054, otherwise known the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009.  /muf