LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A 10-yeard old Grade V pupil was hurt and now confined in a Baguio-based private hospital after he was bumped by a van driven by an individual under the influence of liquor at Central Bailili here around 4:30 pm Saturday.
Superintendent Cherry Fajardo, public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the victim as Jeremiah Rulalat Pasiwen, 10 years old, Grade V pupil, and a resident of Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet while she named the suspect as Norel Nitron Bagtingan, 41, married, resident of FC-330, Central Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet, and holder of Professional Driver’s License No. AO1-92-038058.
Initial police investigation showed the victim was walking along Central Balili when he was accidentally bumped by the van causing him to fall on the ground with his head banging on the sidewalk.
The victim was immediately rushed by concerned citizens to the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) for medical treatment but he was later transferred to the Notre Dame de Chartes hospital for further observation while the driver, who was found to be under the influence of liquor, was arrested and the vehicle was also impounded by the police personnel of the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to serious physical injuries and driving under the influence of liquor are now being prepared for filing against the detained driver before the Benguet provincial prosecutor’s office.