A 58-year-old man walking along Nagtahan Link Bridge in Pandacan, Manila was killed after he was hit by a counterflowing motorcycle on Sunday night, police said.
In the CCTV footage secured by the Manila Police District, the pedestrian was seen crossing the road while carrying an umbrella before he was hit by the motorcycle.
“Hindi niya napansin na habang patawid ito ay nabangga niya. Pareho silang tumilapon sa kalsada,” said MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines.
(The rider didn’t notice that he hit the crossing pedestrian. Both of them fell to the ground.)
Both rider and pedestrian were rushed to separate hospitals, but the latter was declared dead on arrival. The rider, meanwhile, sustained injuries on his chest and feet.
Barangay 836 tanod Tony Abueva said the first responders observed that the rider seemed to be under the influence of alcohol.
“Parang hilo-hilo pa siya mag-ano tapos amoy na amoy ang alak,” he added.
(He seemed dizzy and you could really smell the stench of alcohol.)
Family not willing to settle
The victim’s family is firm that they will lodge a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against the 49-year-old suspect.
“Itutuloy po namin kasi masakit sa amin mawalan ng tatay. Ginawa niyang ganoon lang ang buhay ng tatay ko dahil lang nakainom siya… Buhay iyon kinuha niya eh. Harapin niya na lang,” said the victim’s son.
(We’ll pursue filing the complaint because it’s hard to lose a father. The rider made it seem like my father’s life was invaluable because he had some alcohol… He took someone else’s life, so he should just face the consequence.)
The suspect, who is currently detained at the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit, admitted to counterflowing to take a shorter route to work.
“Siyempre, shortcut at saka dis-oras na. Wala nang sasakyan,” he said.
(Of course, it was a shortcut, and it was already very late. There were no cars on the road.)
The suspect recalled driving past a puddle of water on the road, which splashed out right before his vehicle collided with the victim.
“Hindi ko rin alam na nandoon na rin pala siya, na patawid na rin siya,” he added.
(I didn’t know he was already there, crossing the road.)
The suspect pleaded for the victim’s family to agree to settle instead of pushing through with the criminal case.
“Sana maawa din sila kasi hindi naman sinasadya. Disgrasya lang din po… Dapat areglo na lang sila. Hihingi na lang po ako sa kanila ng sobra-sobrang patawad kasi hindi naman sinasadya iyong nasagasaan ko iyong [ka]pamilya nila,” he said.
(I hope they would have mercy on me, because I really didn’t intend for it to happen. It was an accident…They should settle. I truly want to ask for their forgiveness, because I really didn’t mean to run over their relative.)
Counterflowing trend?
GMA Integrated News returned to the area where the accident took place and observed around three motorcycle riders who also drove on the opposite lane.
Abueva said this is a common occurrence, especially since some motorists want to take a “more convenient” route.
Police said they will coordinate with barangay leaders to ensure tighter adherence to traffic rules and to avoid similar accidents in the area.
“Magbantay sila doon sa lugar kasi, sabi nga natin, kung naging cause ng aksidente iyan, dapat ma-address agad natin,” Ines said.
(They should guard the area because, as I said, if it’s causing accidents, it should immediately be addressed.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News
