By CESAR JOLITO III

Three individuals were killed following a head-on collision involving two motorcycles along the national highway at Barangay Malabuhan in Negros Occidental’s Siaton town on Sunday night, August 24.

An initial investigation by Siaton police showed the accident occurred at around 7:00 p.m. when a motorcycle driven by 27-year-old James Baldoza Mejio, of Barangay Casalaan, attempted to overtake another vehicle.

Riding with Mejio was his passenger, 54-year-old Aquino Lagrasa Paira, also of Casalaan.

While overtaking, Mejio reportedly encroached on the opposite lane, directly colliding with another motorcycle driven by 36-year-old Rolly Navarez Palagtiw, a teacher and resident of the same barangay.

Responding police officers and rescue teams found the victims sprawled on the highway, unconscious and suffering from severe injuries.

They were rushed to the Cong. Lamberto L. Macias Memorial Hospital in Dumaguete City but were all declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Both motorcycles sustained heavy damage and were taken to the Siaton police station for proper disposition.

Traffic investigators said initial findings point to improper overtaking as the cause of the fatal collision./CJ, WDJ