Laoag City vice mayor killed in car crash

WRECK Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael Fariñas’ car is left at a rice field at Barangay Vira, following the crash killed the official on Wednesday.

LAOAG CITY — Vice Mayor Michael Fariñas was killed on Wednesday when his black Mercedes Benz sped through a bypass road and struck several concrete barriers before ditching into a rice field here.

Fariñas, 52, a nephew of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, was taken to the Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital here but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

He reportedly lost control of the steering wheel. With him was his security aide, SPO2 Melchor Geronimo, who was injured and was treated for trauma to his spine.

Fariñas is survived by his wife, Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, and children John Michael, the city administrator, Mikee, president of the Association of Barangay Councils in Laoag, and Michelle, a Grade 10 student of Ilocos Norte National High School.

The first grandchild of the late Federico Fariñas, founder of Fariñas Transit, the vice mayor was considered the clan’s political strategist, having managed his uncles’ election campaigns.

He started his political career as a village chief and served as a three-term Laoag mayor and as vice mayor since 2010.

The flag was hoisted at half staff outside the Laoag City Hall. Wake is at the family residence at Barangay Vira here.

City government employees credited Fariñas for making Laoag the “most livable, most business-friendly city.” Since Wednesday night, photographs and videos of the fatal accident had been circulating in social media. Family members and friends appealed to netizens to delete the images out of respect for the Fariñases. —LEILANIE ADRIANO