A late afternoon drive home from a tourist destination turned into a nightmare on a Cebu highway, resulting in multiple injuries after the driver of a private vehicle allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.
Sequence of a Highway Collision
The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2025, along the national highway in Barangay Daanlungsod, Alcoy, Cebu. According to the official report from the Alcoy Municipal Police Station, a Toyota Wigo was traveling towards Cebu City when it suddenly attempted to overtake another vehicle.
In the process, the Wigo swerved into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a delivery truck. The force of the impact caused the private car to spin uncontrollably, subsequently striking a motorcycle that was in the vicinity.
Injured Victims and Immediate Response
The passengers of the Wigo sustained various injuries and were promptly rushed to the hospital by personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
The injured individuals have been identified as:
- Mary Eden Quianand, 46, a resident of Cebu City.
- Rodrigo Ardaba Jr., 46, from Nasipit, Talamban.
- Kennet Lopez, 25, from Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.
- Richard Frias, 55, the driver from Burgos Street, Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue City, who suffered the most serious injuries.
Miraculously, the rider of the motorcycle involved in the secondary impact was reported to be unharmed.
Driver Fatigue Cited as Primary Cause
Police Staff Sergeant Veronico Manriquez, the traffic investigator handling the case, stated that the passengers themselves revealed the likely cause of the accident. They reported that their driver, Richard Frias, had dozed off while driving, causing him to veer into the oncoming lane.
The group had spent the preceding night at Tumalog Falls in Oslob with family and work companions and were on their way back when the fatigue-induced incident occurred. The passengers stated they only felt the full force of the collision at the moment of impact.
Investigation findings corroborated the passengers' account. Statements from the motorcycle rider confirmed that the truck was within its proper lane and even attempted to swerve to the right to avoid the oncoming Wigo, but was unsuccessful.
"Based on the witness, the motorcycle driver himself, he told us that the Toyota Wigo was really at fault because the truck was in its lane. In fact, the van tried to avoid it by swerving to the right, but it was still hit by the Wigo," Manriquez explained.
Aftermath and Legal Repercussions
The truck involved was carrying a load of tires destined for Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Following the investigation, which cleared him of any fault, the truck driver was released from custody.
The Alcoy police have since prepared appropriate charges against the driver of the Toyota Wigo. The case is being filed for reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury and damage to property.
This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving while fatigued, especially after long outings or with insufficient rest, on the busy national highways of Cebu.
