1 month ago
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ILOILO CITY — A 33-year-old driver involved in a hit-and-run incident in this city has surrendered to authorities, days after the local government offered a reward for information leading to his identification.
The suspect, identified only as Arvie, turned himself in at the Iloilo City Police Station 3 on April 22. He was accompanied by a legal counsel.
He confessed to driving the Ford Expedition that struck a motorcycle along Commission Civil St. in Jaro district on April 19, injuring Ariel Habal, 32, and his cousin Erick Paul Gacita, 24.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) spokesman Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines said Arvie admitted that he fled the scene out of fear as he had taken the SUV without his employer's permission.
The vehicle is reportedly owned by a Chinese who employs him as a driver.
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CCTV footage revealed that the SUV, coming from the opposite lane, veered left and rammed into the motorcycle before speeding off toward La Paz district.
The crash caused damage to the motorcycle's front section and inflicted serious injuries on both victims.
Habal suffered cuts on his arm and hand, including the loss of a finger, while Gacita sustained facial injuries and abrasions.
Arvie told authorities he intended to come forward after seeing the public outcry and viral posts about the incident on social media.
He also promised to cover the victims' medical expenses and cooperate fully with the investigation.
The victims, however, are pushing through with formal complaints, including reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with physical injuries, said Sangrines.
On April 20, City Mayor Jerry Treñas offered P50,000 for information leading to the driver's identification or arrest, and later pledged to raise the amount to P100,000 if no credible leads surfaced within three days.
