70-year-old woman killed, 3 hurt in Cebu mishap

CEBU CITY — A 70-year old woman was killed while three others were hurt on Saturday afternoon when the tricycle they were on was rammed by a vehicle owned by an electric cooperative in Argao town, 70 kilometers south of Cebu City.

Irene Escalante Mamac of Barangay (village) Talaytay, Argao, died of head wounds, said PO2 Renato Nacaytona.

Hurt were Viviana Genabi, 52; her daughter, Baby Jane Genabi, 9; and tricycle driver Pedirito Geabroso, 33, all from Barangay Langtad, Argao.

They were brought to Isidro Kintanar Hospital for treatment.

Police said the accident happened at 4:15 p.m. on the Argao bridge along the national highway of Poblacion.

Nacaytona said the Kia Utility vehicle (plate number YKD 788) of Cebu Electric Cooperative 2 driven by Rodel Rufo Ricaborda, 38, from Simala, Sibonga, fell asleep on the wheel and hit the rear of the tricycle.

The tricycle was dragged about 70 feet from the point of impact until it slammed into the cemented railing of the bridge.

Nacaytona said Ricaborda admitted falling asleep claiming he was tired from responding to brownout alarms the entire day.

When the accident happened, they came from Barangay Anahaw, a mountain village in Argao.

Ricaborda surrendered to the police and would be charged with charged for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property.