By CESAR JOLITO III

Police are investigating whether overspeeding was a factor in the road accident that killed a 72-year-old grandmother who was struck by an ambulance at Barangay Robles in Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town on Wednesday, November 19.

Authorities identified the victim as alias “Maria,” who was aboard a tricycle when she asked the driver to stop after seeing her son pass by on a motorcycle.

She got off the tricycle and attempted to cross the road, where she was hit by an oncoming ambulance.

La Castellana police deputy chief Captain Jose Michael Muñez said initial information showed the ambulance — driven by a 47-year-old job order casual employee of the Binalbagan municipal government — was reportedly moving at high speed when the victim suddenly crossed.

The elderly woman was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Muñez confirmed that the ambulance driver was released from custody after completing the 18-hour reglementary detention while the investigation is ongoing.

He said the driver and the victim’s family have already met to discuss possible settlement, but police have yet to receive any formal decision from both parties./CJ, WDJ