BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO

A 39-year-old man died after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into an electric post in Barangay An-annam, Bantay, on the evening of April 1.

Authorities say the driver, a construction worker, was under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred.

The victim, who was riding as a passenger, and the 40-year-old driver were returning home from work when the crash happened.

According to police, they were driving at a high speed and were not wearing helmets.

“So the two were construction workers heading home, and we believe they were under the influence of liquor,” said PCpt. Donaldson Pagalanan, officer-in-charge of Bantay Municipal Police Station.

Pagalanan added that the driver lost control of the motorcycle while navigating a bend on the barangay road, causing them to hit a lamppost.

Both men were rushed to the hospital, but the passenger was declared dead on arrival.

“The doctor suggested a possible heart attack may have happened during or before the crash,” said Pagalanan. However, the victim’s family declined an autopsy.

The driver later told police that he felt the passenger suddenly become heavy moments before the crash, which may have contributed to his loss of control.

The family of the deceased has chosen not to press charges against the driver. “The victim’s wife submitted a letter of disinterest in filing a case,” Pagalanan confirmed.

This is the fifth road incident recorded in the municipality so far this year.