Badian accident: Driver out on bail

THE driver of the Ceres bus which crashed, killing his wife and daughter in Badian town, was released from jail yesterday after posting bail.

Erwin Gerson, posted bail of P40,000 on a charge of violating the  Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 or Republic Act 10586.

He will face trial before the  Regional Trial Court in Barili town.

Sources said the bus operator Vallacar Transport arranged his bail, including another P2,000 bail for a separate charge of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries before the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Moalboal.

None of the 32 passengers  wounded in the accident pressed charges. Their hospital bills were shouldered by the bus operator.

Police said Gerson tested positive for alcohol use after the accident. The driver insisted he  drank only two bottles of beer  the night before.

RA 10586 penalizes  driving under the “influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and other intoxicating substances.”

If found guilty, Gerson  faces 12 years in jail, a fine of P300,000 to P500,000 and the permanent confiscation of his  driver’s license./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol