SEVEN persons, including an 11-month-old boy and his pregnant mother, were hurt in a road accident in Barangay Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City last Easter Sunday night.
Police arrested a 43-year-old maintenance worker of a taxi company who drove the Toyota Corolla that bumped a motorcycle and hit pedestrians on Zone 5 Aviation Road past 7 p.m.
Four of the victims were brought to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital, while two were taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
They were identified by police as Kristian James Dandan, 26; Marilou Siao Paler, 49; Audrey Sharia Paler, 13; Quirio Paler, 34; Sheila Paler, 23; John Rafael Paler, 11 months old; and Jecel Tejero, 14.
Positive for alcohol
All except Dandan and Tejero suffered serious physical injuries.
PO1 Jennifer Decatoria said Ponciano Cabataña, a resident of Barangay Day-as, Cebu City, tested positive for alcohol after he was arrested and taken to a hospital.
Cabataña, who works for Cebu Emersons Trans Corp., was bound for Cebu City. Three other employees were on board the vehicle, which is registered under the company’s name.
Decatoria said his vehicle hit the motorcycle parked beside the road. On board the motorcycle were Quirio, his wife Sheila, his son John Rafael and his niece Tejero.
Asleep on the wheel
Dandan, Marilou and Audrey were standing by the road when they were hit by the car.
Decatoria said Sheila is two months pregnant.
Personnel from the traffic division of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Officer detained Cabataña, father of five.
In an interview with reporters, Cabataña said he dozed off behind the wheel.
He said he and his fellow employees had just come from a beach outing in Barangay Marigondon.
He will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in serious and less serious physical injuries with damage to property.
He will also face a complaint for driving under the influence of alcohol.