By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A female minor was killed after she was struck by a speeding motorcycle late Tuesday afternoon along the national road at Hacienda Ibus in Barangay Tortosa, Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the fatality as 11-year-old Paulin Joy Eswagan, a resident of Hacienda Napungolan in the said barangay.

Manapla municipal police traffic investigators said Eswagan was crossing the road when she was hit by a southbound motorcycle driven by 36-year-old Joemaria Acuesta, a resident Yapquiña Subdivision in Barangay 1, Victorias City.

Acuesta suffered several injuries across his body in a resulting crash after hitting Eswagan.

Both were rushed to the Ika-ayong Lawas Foundation Hospital in Victorias City for treatment, although the minor was declared dead on arrival by hospital staff.

Acuesta, meanwhile, was transferred to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City following the incident, while his motorcycle was impounded by the Manapla Municipal Police Station./DGB, WDJ