By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

A 63-year-old woman who had just been discharged from the hospital died, while her husband was injured after they were hit by a motorcycle while crossing Lacson Street in front of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City yesterday morning.

Police identified the fatality as Rosita Patoc, a resident of Barangay Pasil in Negros Occidental’s E.B. Magalona town.

Her husband, 73-year-old Genaro Patoc, sustained injuries.

Traffic Management Unit head Police Major Elmer Bonilla said the couple was hit by a motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Zyrll Villanueva, a resident of Barangay 9 in the city, together with his backrider, 32-year-old John Nelbert Cordova, a resident of Barangay 12 in the city, around 3:41 a.m.

Bonilla said the motorcycle was traveling northbound.

Due to the impact, Rosita struck her head on the pavement and died on the spot.

Her husband sustained injuries, while Villanueva and Cordova were also injured and were brought to CLMMRH.

Bonilla said Villanueva was allegedly under the influence of intoxicating liquor and speeding at the time of the accident.

Authorities are waiting for the victim’s family to decide whether to file charges against Villanueva, who remains confined in the hospital.

Police officers have also been assigned to the area as part of the investigation./MAP, WDJ