Ambulance Driver Charged in Fatal Crash with USC Students in Cebu
An ambulance driver from Barangay Apas, Kevin Ryan Gesta, has been formally charged with Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Serious Physical Injury and Damage to Property following a tragic collision on April 14, 2026. The incident involved a motorcycle carrying two students from the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus (USC-TC), resulting in one fatality and serious injuries to the other.
Details of the Collision
The crash occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Archbishop Reyes Avenue flyover in Cebu City. According to police reports, the ambulance was counterflowing when it struck the motorcycle driven by Juan Antonio Ladioray, an 18-year-old Mechanical Engineering student at USC-TC. Ladioray remains hospitalized and is receiving ongoing medical treatment for his injuries.
Tragically, his passenger, Braille Nichole Kwek, a 17-year-old student from Camotes Island also enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at USC-TC, was killed instantly at the scene. Both victims were pursuing their studies at the university, adding to the community's grief over the loss.
Legal Proceedings and Pending Charges
Police Colonel George Ylanan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, confirmed that the initial charges were filed by Ladioray's family. Additionally, a separate case of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide is expected to be filed once Kwek's father, who is currently working in Dubai, arrives in the Philippines to make a decision.
Ylanan explained, "The documents for the homicide case are complete, but we are awaiting the father's decision upon his arrival from Dubai." He emphasized that while the charges for serious physical injury and property damage have been submitted, the homicide aspect remains pending due to this family consideration.
Driver's Status and Investigation Updates
Currently, the ambulance driver, Kevin Ryan Gesta, is under custody at the Traffic Enforcement Unit office. Authorities have conducted both liquor and drug tests on Gesta, with results returning negative for any substance influence. This development raises further questions about the circumstances leading to the reckless driving incident.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and emergency vehicle protocols in urban areas like Cebu City. As the legal process unfolds, the community awaits justice for the victims and their families, with hopes for stricter enforcement to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
