Bus crash: Cebu woman, child killed

CEBU CITY—A bus driven by a drunken driver crashed early on Monday in Badian town in Cebu province, killing his wife and their 5-year-old daughter, and injuring at least 19 other passengers.

The driver, Erwin Gerson, 42, failed a liquor test at Badian District Hospital, 97 kilometers south of this city, according to PO2 Bismarck Babiera.

“He did not even know that his wife and daughter were killed,” Babiera said.

The fatalities were identified as Marlyn Gerson, 41, and daughter Geralyn. They had been seated in the front seat beside Gerson.

The Ceres bus left Santander town for this city when it hit a steel post and fell on its right side along the national highway in Sitio (sub-village) Bangko-Bangko, Balhaan village in Badian at 7:18 a.m.

Police said Gerson admitted to drinking with friends in the Ceres bus terminal in Santander the night before.

The accident happened while Gerson was driving downhill through a blind curve, Babiera said.

Gerson cried when he was informed at the police station that his wife and daughter died in the crash, Babiera said.  Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas