BACOLOD CITY — Charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide were filed against the driver of a truck that ran over and killed a 15-year-old student who was crossing a pedestrian lane in front of a school in E.B. Magalona town, Negros Occidental last Thursday, December 15.
Dante Cabatuan Sebuguero, 47, tested negative for illegal drugs and was not under the influence of liquor when the incident happened, said Major Kenneth Jay Gratones, chief of the E.B. Magalona Police Station.
The prime mover truck driven by Sebuguero hit the head of Kevin Liscano and dragged him for about 10 meters before stopping.
A security camera footage showed the victim and about 10 other students crossing the pedestrian lane when the incident happened.
A 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 ran.
“More students could have been killed,” he said.
A driver of a motorcycle who saw the speeding truck approaching also jumped into a canal to avoid being hit, E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon said.
Malacon said he will not allow a cash settlement of the case.
“The driver needs to be taught a lesson,” he said.
“We strongly condemn the driver of the hauler truck and his reckless driving that snatched the life of a young (boy) in an instant,” Malacon said.
Malacon said he met Liscano’s parents on Friday and assured them that he will personally help and see to it that they get justice.
The mayor also extended an initial burial assistance of P50,000 to the family for the victim.
This is aside from the funeral assistance that the municipal government and the office of Rep. Francisco Benitez usually gives.
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, E.B. Magalona, to attend 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 (people) to offer prayers for the repose of Kevin’s soul,” Malacon said.
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