Road collision in Banilad injures 3 passengers

Photo shows an Innova whose rear side was hit by a Mitsubishi Montero during a road mishap involving three vehicles in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City at past 3 a.m. today, April 22. | Paul Lauro

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Three young adult passengers were injured in a car crash on Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue in Brgy. Banilad on Monday, April 22, around 3 a.m., according to Cebu City police’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU).

The road collision, involving three sports utility vehicles (SUVs), occurred at the intersection near a mall and a university.

Based on initial findings from traffic investigators, two of the vehicles – a black Montero and a gray Innova – were heading north while the third SUV, a black Land Cruiser, was traversing the southbound lane.

Rufino Cabigas, 54, the driver of the gray Innova, said the smashup began when the black Montero hit the back of his SUV.

The driver of the Montero was identified as Mia Neri, 32.

“Nimenor nako ato kay intersection man. Kalit man dayun naay nipaka,” Cabigas said in an interview.

At that time, the 54-year-old driver, employed by a ride-hailing app, was carrying five female passengers, all young adults, to their destination.

Traffic investigators’ reports also mentioned witness accounts claiming that Neri attempted to flee the scene after crashing into Cabigas’ vehicle.

However, she ended up colliding with a Land Cruiser driven by Byron Ratunil, which was traversing in the opposite lane.

Meanwhile, Neri’s family promised to cover the hospital bills for the injured passengers and to pay for the damages to Cabigas’ vehicle. /clorenciana