One late night of November 6, 2003, a horrible vehicular accident happened in our town. According to the police blotter, two 18 year old teenagers were riding on a “chop-chop” motorbike going southward when it accidentally bumped, head-on, an incoming jitney from the opposite direction. The head-on collision happened in barangay San Nicolas near the house of the late Nana Floring Elaydo. According to some witnesses the back rider was thrown out from the bike. The worst part of it was that the motorcycle and the driver was dragged under the jitney till they reached barangay Villa Quirino causing the victim to got burned due to a gas leak coming from the “chop-chop” resulting to his death.
The driver of the motorbike was identified as Ernie Bongolan Guieb of barangay Ubbog, Santiago. The back rider, who was brought to a nearby hospital and later to La Union Regional Hospital, was Darryl Jim Europa Quimson of Sitio Bigbiga of Brgy. San Nicolas, San Esteban, Quimson passed away after 3 days in critical condition.
The driver of the jitney voluntary surrendered at the Sta. Maria Philippine National Police Station. The dilapidated motorbike was still dangling under the passenger jeepney. The driver was identified as Elgin Oliva of Barangay Parola, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. According to Mr. Oliva, the town people might harm him if he surrenders to our local police, so he decided to submit himself to the proper authorities in the next town.
Mr. Oliva and the said vehicle are now under the custody of San Esteban PNP. A case of reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide was filed against Oliva.
/:susan (S.A.E.)
