TACLOBAN CITY - An employee of the Local Government Unit of Silago, Southern Leyte, and her back rider died on the spot when the motorcycle they were riding was bumped off by an SUV in a Sunday morning, April 24, mishap in Brgy. Balagawan.
Lt. Col. Bella Rentuaya, information officer of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8), identified the fatalities as Marlita Masing, 45, a resident of Brgy. Mercedes, Silago, Southern Leyte, and her back rider Rechelle Togonon, 18, of Brgy. Sto. Niño 2, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.
Based on the initial investigation, the two victims were on the way to Silago town while the SUV was bound for Hinunangan town, around 8:50 a.m. However, upon reaching a curved portion of the highway, the SUV entered into the opposite lane, hitting the oncoming motorcycle driven by Masing.
According to witnesses, the impact was so strong that the two motorcycle riders were tossed into the concrete road. The severity of the injuries they incurred resulted in their instantaneous death.
The police office, according to Col. Rentuaya, received a call from a concerned citizen reporting that an accident had transpired in Brgy. Balawagan.
Upon arrival at the area, the responding team found the two victims lying dead beside the road and were covered with garments by the residents.
The unidentified SUV driver ran away from the scene towards Hinunangan town.