The driver of a mini-bus blamed the sudden appearance of a white image that suddenly crossed the street for his loss of control over his vehicle that fell from a bridge in Brgy. Caradio-an, Himamaylan City, Tuesday.

The fall resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and her 7-year-old son.

Bus driver Benjie Himalaya claimed in a television interview that he lost control of the bus when a “white image” came from nowhere and suddenly crossed the street and he slammed into the barrier of the bridge, before plunging into the creek.

Himalaya also said he tried to use the brakes but they malfunctioned.

The accident resulted in the deaths of Rochelle Lagahit, 27, and her son, Cyrill John,7.

But Supt. Antionieto Caniete, Himamaylan police chief, said that Himalaya may have fallen asleep when the accident happened.

Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Bascon said the area, where the accident happened is not “mari-it (enchanted)” so the claims of Himalaya are quite impossible.

However, Bascon said he is recommending that the Sanguniang Panglungsod members pass a resolution requiring a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour for all vehicles passing through the highways of Himamaylan to prevent vehicular accidents.

He said some of the 24 injured passengers are still confined at the Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial Hospital in Himamaylan and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

The owner of the mini-bus has pledged to help the victims financially, while the bodies of the fatalities, who are residents of Brgy. Tagda, Hinigaran, were identified and claimed yesterday by their relatives.*APN

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