1 dead; 3 injured in Good Friday road mishap

HOLY WEEK ROAD MISHAP

MAMBUAYA, Cagayan de Oro City – One person died and three others were critically injured in a freak road accident on Good Friday in  Barangay Mambuaya Highway, this city, when two motorcycles accidentally met a head-on collision.

Police authorities identified the victim who died as Esterlita Pimentel, a native of Talakag, Bukidnon but recently residing in Barangay Mambuaya, this city, after she lived in with her second husband. 

Those who were critically injured were also identified by police investigators as Rodney Neuda; Roel Labaon, 25 of barangay Dansolihon, this city and Reden Guilaran, a native of Cotabato Province but also recently residing in Barangay Dansolihon. 

Rodney Neuda and his live-in partner Esterlita were both riding on a Blue Honda Wave 110, while Roel Labaon and his partner Reden Guilaran were on onboard a black Honda XR 150.

In an interview with Magnum Radio, both Labaon and Reden were bound for Camella Homes in Cagayan de Oro City to work as house painters. While Rodney and Esterlita were going to Barangay Mambuaya, reportedly to buy rice and other food needs. Rodney tried to make a U-turn maneuver when suddenly a motorcycle from Dansolihon rammed them, and Esterlita died on the spot, while the three other victims were immediately rushed to a public hospital in Cagayan de Oro.

Police investigation disclosed that Rodney failed to look at the distance to see incoming motorcycles when he maneuvered a U-turn, reportedly to buy rice at a store on the other side of the road. His failure to execute safety measures had reportedly caused the death of his wife Esterlita. Had Rodney looked at the distance first before making a U-turn, there would have been no accident.  

The police said the three victims are now fighting for their lives at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center provincial hospital.