What was supposed to be a birthday celebration turned into tragedy for a family when their multi-cab hit an electrical post at Lacson-Cuadra streets in Bacolod City at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday and caused the death of a member and injury to nine others.

Traffic investigator Police Officer 2 Eliseo Adraneda identified the casualty as Ruth Pediongco, 38, of Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City.

It took some time for rescuers to retrieve Pedinogco, who was in the front seat, as she was stuck under the wreckage of the vehicle while some of the passengers were thrown out Adraneda said.

He added that Pediongco was declared dead on arrival at the Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, where she and her husband Arnel Pediongco, 43, who was driving the multi-cab, and their nephew Del Mateo Pediongco of Brgy. Banago were brought after the accident.

Other passengers treated at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital were Pediongco’s son Ronel Christian, 17, of Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision, ,Gylee Esquilla, 17, Angel Bocateja, 12, Aj PEdiongco, 8, Ann Piatres Orbeta, 4, Elizabeth Pediongco, 70, Silvy Marie Yales, 3, of Brgy. Banago, Bacolod.

Investigation showed that the victims came from Murcia where they had celebrated Ronel Christian’s birthday and were on their way to Banago when the accident happened.

Andraneda theorized that the multi-cab was heading north of Lacson Street and could have overtaken another vehicle but failed to notice the electrical post beside the road.

He said it is also possible that the multi-cab based on its position had turned clockwise.*APN

back to top