THE Korean mother driving the van which hit and killed a female traffic enforcer near Gaisano Country Mall in Banilad, Cebu City last month pleaded “not guilty” to charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Sun Kyung Heo was arraigned yesterday before Judge Oscar Andrino of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities. She is currently out on bail. The judge directed the parties to undergo mediation on Aug. 29 to see if they can reach an amicable settlement.
The July 15 death of Maria Teresa Basones highlighted the traffic congestion on the Banilad-Talamban road where the accident occured during peak traffic about 6 p.m. and the work hazards of traffic enforcers who stand in the middle of moving traffic to guide vehicles because of inadequate traffic signal lights.
After her death, City Hall officials said they would look into accident insuarnce for Citom staff, and ordered luminous gloves and orange vests to make them more visible on the street.
Sun, who has been living in Cebu with her two children for several years, considers Cebu her home.
She posted P30,000 bail. She was assisted by lawyers Janel Miral and Emmanuel Salva. /With reports fromUSJ-R Intern Mayfair dela Cerna
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