ORMOC CITY– A truck helper died on the spot after being hit by the truck he was working on when he jumped off as it lost its brakes at about 1:50 pm on Thursday (July 4) along the national highway in Barangay Katipunan, Silago in Southern Leyte.
The victim was identified as Randy Bomulto, 31, single, a truck helper. Another passenger, who was unhurt, was identified as Rachel Abecia, 31.
Both are residents of Las Nieves, Agusan Del Norte.
The truck involved was an Isuzu truck with plate number XFG446, driven by Manuel Vallez, 53, married, a businessman, and a resident of Brgy. Borol, 1St. Balagtas, Bulacan.
An initial investigation revealed that the truck was traveling from Silago towards Abuyog, Leyte. Upon reaching Brgy. Katipunan, the driver lost control of the brakes, causing the truck to crash into the right-side canal of the road.
Bomulto, one of the passengers, jumped out of the truck and was hit by the vehicle, which ran towards the area where he landed, causing his death. The driver and the other passenger were unharmed, though the vehicle incurred damages.
The police reported that both the driver and the other passenger had urged Bomulto not to jump from the truck when it experienced brake trouble. However, Bomulto did not heed their warnings. After he jumped, the truck veered towards the area where he landed, resulting in him being hit and thrown into the drainage canal.
(ROBERT O. DEJON)
