A MAN died after he was hit by a vehicle driven by a priest along the national highway of Barangay Mabini in Valladolid town, Negros Occidental Monday night, May 27.
The 59-year-old victim was identified as Fidel Mahusay, of the said barangay.
Police Captain Joseph Cantonina, town police chief, said Rev. Fr. Joebel Mangubat, 48, of Pontevedra town was on his way to Bacolod City at 8 p.m. when he allegedly hit Mahusay, who suddenly crossed the street.
The victim fell on the road due to the impact. He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.
Cantonina said an ambulance passed by the area and responded while Mangubat drove away fearing for his safety.
“He fled because he might be mobbed by bystanders in the area but he surrendered to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), he said, adding that the priest was then turned over to Valladolid Municipal Police Station.
The town police chief pointed out that “the victim was at fault in the incident because he crossed the street even if there was already an approaching vehicle.”
The priest, who is a chaplain of a parish in Paticui, Hinigaran town, was not speeding on his way to a wake of another priest in Bacolod when the accident happened, Cantonina said.
Mangubat, who also felt ill because of shock, was released from police custody around 3 a.m. Tuesday, following an initial settlement with the victim’s family.
Cantonina said Mangubat will shoulder the burial expenses of the victim. He felt sorry for what happened.