Police strongly discourage driving under the influence of liquor

In these “ber” months, Senior Inspector Orlando Viacrucis, the newly-installed city traffic division chief, highly discouraged motorists from driving when under the control of intoxicated drinks. He said they must fight for safety journey at any time of the day.

Viacrucis made the statement following a single motorcycle accident, particularly at the Malbasag bridge in Ormoc City that involved three persons who fell from the bridge to the river, dawn of September 5. The motorcycle with plate number 6828 HQ was driven by Estelito Caguyong, 18,with passengers Norberto Puebla, 17, and Prudencio Estrera, 23, car wash employees in the city and residents of Sitio Macagpo, Cambalading, Albuera, Leyte. They came from a drinking session in Brgy. Tambulilid, this city.

Viacrucis said the driver, Caguyong, confirmed they were moving on a high speed so he failed to apply a brake at the intersection upon entering the bridge and the three of them were thrown to the river.

Viacrucis added that the three must have been thankful that despite the hard fall from an estimated 25 feet deep, all of them sustained minor bruises only due to the high tide. Two of the victims were unconscious when saved by the city rescue group who applied first aid on them before being rushed to Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Association-Farmers’ Medical Center (OSPA-FMC) for medical treatment, located just few meters from the accident area.

It turned out that the driver has no driver’s license although it was not clear who owns the motorcycle that was released by the police the following day. No case was filed against the driver. The area was well-illuminated with street lights and it was not declared as accident-prone. Therefore, Viacrucis urged the motorists to refrain from driving when drunk to avoid accidents.