Injured couple won’t sue wayward, sleepy motorist

The two runners who were hit by a wayward vehicle during the Timex run last Sunday om Cebu City decided not to press charges against the motorist who sidewsiped them.

Commission on Elections lawyer  Ferdinand Gujilde was released past 2 p.m. yesterday after victims Peter and Sandra Gonzales executed affidavits of desistance.

The couple from  Quezon City  were  injured when Gujilde’s car swerved into their lane and hit them along N. Bacalso Avenue in barangay Mambaling on Sunday morning .

The couple participated in the 16- kilometer category of the Timex Run, which started at the Cebu Normal University and ended at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

The  affidavit of desistance, which was notarized by lawyer Ian Vincent Manticajon, said the  the couple was  no longer interested to file charges against Gujilde, said SP04 Nelson Jayme, chief investigator of the Cebu City Traffic Division.

The couple who resides in Cubao, Quezon City (not Pasig as earlier reported by traffic authorities) said Gujilde assured “that he shall shoulder and satisfy any and all expenditures relating to our full physical recovery including but not limited to medical attention, therapy and rehabilitation expenses”, a condition stated in the affidavit of desisitance.

SP04 Jayme said the couple was released from Chong Hua Hospital as their injuries were not that serious. They  took  a flight back to Manila at 5 p.m. yesterday.

There was no mention of earlier police findings that Gujilde, who said he fell asleep on the wheel, had consumed alcohol.

Provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the accident would not affect Gujilde’s job in the Comelec.

Castillano defended the lawyer, as a good performer, and said   Gujilde only drinks in some social events and was not a heavy drinker. /Jhunnex Napallacan, Correspondent