A “HABAL-HABAL” driver met his instantaneous death when a cargo truck accidentally crushed him while he was driving his motorcycle at Puntod-Kauswagan Bridge at 9 am yesterday.
The victim was identified as Dennis Gamali, 45, of Zone 4, Barangay Kauswagan, this city.
The driver was identified as Joel Tahoyan, 34, of Pangantukan, Bukidnon. He was driving a 10-wheel truck with license plates CAS-1620 owned by one Dennis Ardentista.
Tahoyan said he was headed to Barangay Bulua from Tagoloan town , Misamis Oriental, to unload cargo.
Tahoyan has been driving for 10 years already and the incident was his first.
Witnesses said the victim was beyond recognition as a result of the accident.
Gamali’s wife Nora said her husband had come from his sister’s whose house which was near theirs. She added that the latter was already returning to their house when tragedy struck.
M/Sgt Charles Ebueza said Tahoyan was only driving at 40 kilometers per hour at the time of the accident.
“Akong duda mi overtake tong drayber sa motorcycle sa akong truck. Wala gyud ko nakamatikud deretso sa iyaha,” he said.
Ebueza said Gamali was dragged 10 meters away, and his motorcyle was wrecked.
Tahoyan in a radio interview asked the victim’s family for forgiveness, saying it was an accident.
The four-lane bridge where the accident happened is undergoing repairs, and only two lanes in one section are passable. (Joey Nacalaban)
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