Truck crushes security guard to death

MANILA, Philippines–A motorcycle-riding security guard was killed after he collided with a 16-wheel truck and slipped beneath the vehicle in Pasay City on Thursday morning.

Genesis Vinco, a resident of Valenzuela City, died on the spot after his head was crushed by one of the wheels. He was pronounced dead by a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) medical team around 6 a.m.

PO3 Mark Jun Anaviso of the Pasay City police station said the victim was traveling on the southbound lane of Tramo Street at 5:20 a.m. when he bumped into the truck, causing him to lose his balance and fall down. It took about an hour for the responding medical team and the police to retrieve Vinco’s body, which was caught in between some of the truck’s wheels.

The truck driver, Jonathan Altaque, told the Inquirer that he came from Pampanga and was on his way to Cavite to deliver gravel and sand. He said he was traveling at just the right speed when the victim’s motorcycle suddenly cut him off. “His motorcycle was on my right side and we were traveling almost at the same pace, about 40 kilometers per hour, when he suddenly made a left and hit one of my headlights,” Altaque explained.

The truck driver said he immediately stepped on the brakes but it was too late. Altaque, who is now under the custody of the Pasay City police, will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.–Maricar B. Brizuela