An 89-year-old woman died after she was accidentally hit by a motorcycle driven by a police officer as she was crossing a road in Dauis town on Monday afternoon.

The fatality, identified as Gerarda Panto, a resident of Barangay Tinago, Dauis, was still rushed to the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City but was declared dead on arrival, said Corporal Richard Quinlahi of the Dauis Police Station.

Corporal Anthony James Abeleon who was driving the ill-fated motorcycle meanwhile sustained a large wound in his head after he bumped his head on the pavement, said Abeleon, adding that the police officer’s helmet was thrown away following impact.

He remained in stable condition but was also rushed to a hospital for emergency medical aid.

According to Quinlahi, Abeleon had just served a subpoena at a residence in Barangay Biking, Dauis and was driving a patrol motorcycle of the Dauis Police Station during the incident along a national road in Barangay Tinago of the same town.

Quinlahi said that Abeleon was caught off guard as Panto suddenly crossed the road causing him to hit the elderly woman who was reported to have already been suffering from eyesight problems.

“Base sa pakisusi sa among mga kauban, di na diay pud kuno ni siya [Panto] makakaklaro,” Quinlahi added.

Meanwhile, Dauis police chief Major Jacinto Mandal said that the Panto family is not planning to file charges against Abeleon as both families have reached an amicable settlement on Tuesday.  

According to Mandal, Abeleon’s family vowed to extend financial aid to the victim’s family. (A. Doydora)