21-year-old driver dies in collision with PUJ in Iloilo

• A 21-year-old car driver died after crashing into a PUJ in Oton, Iloilo on a rainy Sunday morning
• The car allegedly swerved into the opposite lane, causing a head-on collision; the driver was found in the backseat
• The PUJ driver and 13 passengers sustained minor injuries; the PUJ was intentionally crashed into a post to stop
• The PUJ driver remains in police custody pending the victim’s family’s decision on filing charges

A 21-year-old car driver died after a collision with a modernized public utility jeepney (PUJ) carrying passengers in Barangay San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo on Sunday morning.

According to Kim Salinas' report on GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas, the car was traveling from Iloilo City toward the town of Tigbauan when it allegedly veered into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the PUJ.

Oton Municipal Police Station Chief, Police Lieutenant Colonel Abner Jordan, stated that the car was reportedly speeding.

The driver was found in the backseat, likely thrown there by the impact, and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The PUJ driver, aged 40, and 13 passengers sustained minor injuries in the crash. Jean Carlos Semic, operations manager of the PUJ’s transport cooperative, said their driver noticed the car was swerving erratically before the accident occurred.

It was also raining at the time of the incident, which may have affected road conditions.

Semic added that the PUJ was struck on its side and that their driver intentionally hit a post to bring the vehicle to a stop and prevent further injuries.

Authorities are now reviewing footage from the PUJ’s dashboard camera for further investigation.

The PUJ driver is currently in police custody as they await the decision of the victim’s family on whether to file charges.

Attempts by GMA Regional TV to get a statement from the deceased's family were unsuccessful.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a 61-year-old woman died after being run over three times by two SUVs and a sedan at Illinois Street and Aurora Boulevard in Barangay Silangan, Quezon City, on May 17. The victim was initially struck by an SUV, then hit again by a second SUV and a sedan moments later, GMA News showed. QCPD is reviewing CCTV footage and has urged the involved drivers to cooperate with the investigation.

Still in other news, a 16-year-old girl in Antipolo accused a tricycle driver of forcibly taking her to a hotel instead of bringing her home after work around 3 a.m. The victim said the driver ignored her pleas and sped up when she asked to be let off, "binilisan pa niya lalo 'yung takbo ng tricycle niya, natatakot na po ako nun." At the hotel, CCTV showed the driver holding her arm, and the girl said: "hihingi po sana ako ng tulong kaso natatakot po ako sa kanya."

Source: KAMI.com.gh