3 killed as motorcycle slams into parked trailer in Cebu town

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Three persons died Wednesday when their motorcycle slammed into a parked trailer truck in Minglanilla town, 15.4 kilometers south of Cebu City.

The town police identified the fatalities as Bernard Bacus, 23; Cristylyn Aledon, 25; and Aimme Sabellita, of legal age, all residents of Minglanilla town.

Senior Police Office 1 Renato Masangcay, Minglanilla police investigator, said the black Honda Wave motorcycle (no plate number) driven by Bacus was traveling on the national highway in Barangay (village) Tungkop at 2 a.m. when it rammed into the truck (GXJ 974) parked along the road.

Based on statements of witnesses, the trio reportedly came from Naga City to buy a case of beer and were on their way back to Tungkop in Minglanilla when the accident happened, Masangcay said.

Some witnesses told police that the motorcycle was speeding and appeared to be racing with another motorcycle when it hit the back of the truck that was parked at a blind curve of the highway.

Masangcay said the three victims hit the steel portion of the truck head first before being catapulted some 10 meters away. All three sustained serious head injuries.

Bacus and Aledon died on the spot while Sabellita was pronounced dead on arrival at the South General Hospital, he said.

Masangcay asked the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Land Transportation Office Region 7 to find out if the driver of the trailer truck has a liability in the accident for parking along the road as the truck had encroached the highway.

The trailer truck was owned by Big Boy Trucking company and was about to deliver sacks of cement somewhere. Since the driver, identified as Jiffy Abadiez, was living in the area, he stopped to change clothes.

Masangcay said Abadiez reported to the police station where his driver’s license was confiscated. He also expressed hope that the LTO would campaign against the parking of vehicles along the national highway to prevent another accident.