Elements of the Buhangin police station in Davao City under Chief Inspector Jack Tilcag on Monday filed a case of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide against a 22-year old resident of Barangay Communal who drove her van straight into two motorcycles that stopped under the traffic light, leading to the death of one of the riders and serious injuries to three others.
Investigators at the police station told reporters that the driver, identified as one Rhea Jane Panares,22, was under the influence of liquor when she drove her van against the traffic and drove straight into the two motorcycles that heeded the traffic sign to stop.
(The first time a certain Rhea Panares was in the news was when she was identified as marketing coordinator of the famous Malagos Garden Resort. She was guest of a media forum to discuss the Malagos chocolate museum).
Facebook accounts indicated that Panares came from a drinking party and that she allegedly drove without a driver’s license. The van that she was driving is registered under the name of Donna Mae Panares.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning in front of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport along Carlos P. Garcia Highway, otherwise known as the Diversion Road.
The impact of the collision was such that the van dragged the motorcycles 10 meters more before it stopped.
The fatality was identified as Jonathan Torres Movera, 44, who died as a result of injuries after he was dragged by the van.
The other victims are Stephanie Clare Torres Movera, 19, Jonathan’s daughter, Carlo Mark Agbayani, 34 and Alma Agbayani, 60, who are now in critical but condition at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Jonathan is a nephew of Antonio M. Ajero, editor of this paper.
Additional charges of multiple serious physical injuries were filed against Panares.
Investigation showed that Panares had just come from a party with friends from the Club Echelon in the fifth floor of Gaisano Mall.
A source at the Buhangin police station said their investigator is still working on the case.
