BUGUIAS, Benguet – A 19-year old motorcycle driver died while his three back riders were injured after their vehicle rammed into an electric post at sitio Cotcot, barangay Bangao here around 9:30 pm Friday.
Superintendent Cherry Fajardo, public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the lone fatality as Jomel Morel Palada, 19, while his injured back riders were named as Charlie Agustin Paran, 23, Judy Ann Maggay Libagen, 18, and Rosalie Gasmena Fudayan, 18, all residents of sitio Cotcot, barangay Bangao, Buguias, Benguet.
Initial police investigation showed the occupants of the motorcycle came from a drinking spree and were en route home when the driver allegedly lost control of the steering wheel causing the motorcycle to ram into an electric post on the side of the road.
Because of the impact of the collision, the occupants were thrown of the motorcycle and banged their heads and bodies on the concrete pavement.
Responding police operatives and concerned citizens immediately rushed the victims to the Lutheran District Hospital but Palada was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Probers are still ascertaining the real cause of the untoward vehicle accident along the national road.
