Hit and run driver who killed Agusan barrio doctor yields

MANILA, Philippines – A former spiritual adviser, who figured in a hit-and-run accident that killed a barrio doctor in Agusan del Norte, has surrendered to authorities.

Charlie Cayetano Prior, a former spiritual adviser in Butuan City Hall, turned himself in on Wednesday, six days after he ran over and killed Dr. Zuriel Arambulo.

Arambulo was based in a barrio in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

The accident happened along a national highway in Zone-2, Barangay Poblacion 2, Santiago in Agusan del Norte around 8:50 p.m. on February 7 where Arambulo was reportedly hit by Prior’s sport utility vehicle.

Arambulo was rushed to the Cabadbaran District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz of the Police Regional Office in Caraga said they received numerous tips on case.

However, the investigation was not able to produce any lead as none of the vehicles reported to authorities were proven to have been involved in the accident.

The regional police offered a P50,000 reward for any information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the vehicle involved.

The bounty, police said, may have prompted Prior to surrender.

Hair strands from the vehicle of Prior will be subjected to DNA testing./gsg