Driver falls asleep; car hits five persons

FIVE persons, four of them minors, were injured when they were hit by a Ford Ranger in Tuburan town, northwest Cebu yesterday.

The driver Primitivo Echavez, 47, had fallen asleep at the wheel when the accident took place past 11 a.m. in barangay Begasme, Tuburan.

The injured persons were by the roadside having a conversation when the vehicle with plate number GMM-299 hit them.

The vehicle is owned by Fr. Riel Cantillas of barangay Putag.

The driver, who was unharmed, told police he was driving at low speed when the accident occurred.

He was released after an amicable settlement was reached with the victims’ families, said police.

The victims were brought to the Tuburan District Hospital. Three of them were moved to a Cebu City hospital.

A red Honda XRM motorcycle parked along the road was also damaged.  CORRESPONDENT RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL