DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The Buhangin Police will file charges against a pedestrian and a jeepney driver following a fatal road accident on June 25 along C. Garcia Highway that resulted in the deaths of a driver and his helper.
Police Major Antonio Lui, chief of Buhangin Police Precinct, in an interview with DXDC stated that both the jeepney driver and the pedestrian, identified as Evalonie I. Martinez, will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in death.
The incident occurred when a red passenger jeepney, driven by an unidentified driver, stopped illegally at a pedestrian lane while the traffic light was green, allowing vehicles to proceed. Martinez disembarked from the jeepney and crossed the highway despite the pedestrian signal indicating it was still the turn of the vehicles to move while pedestrians have to wait.
Lui explained that the green traffic signal indicated it was the vehicles’ turn to move, and pedestrians should have stayed on the outer side of the road, waiting for their turn to cross. Martinez’s sudden crossing forced a jeepney to brake abruptly, causing a chain reaction. This led a trailer truck, carrying heavy cargo, to make a sudden stop to avoid a collision.
The force of the abrupt stop caused the heavy cargo to lurch forward, crushing driver Doronio and his helper, KR Rasonable, inside the cab and resulting in their deaths.
“Mag-file mi og kasong reckless imprudence bahala na si Fiscal, kay supposedly dili siya dapat himuon nga motabok kay green light pa (We will file a case of reckless imprudence, let the Fiscal handle it, because supposedly he should not be made to cross because the light is still green),” Lui said, emphasizing that Martinez’s actions were reckless and directly led to the tragic accident.
The incident was captured on video, clearly showing the jeepney stopping at the pedestrian lane and Martinez disembarking and crossing the road against the signal. This evidence will be crucial in the case against both the jeepney driver and Martinez.
The police are urging pedestrians and drivers alike to adhere strictly to traffic signals and regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
