A 20-year-old man was killed and six were injured when his motorcycle collided with a taxi at the Lupit Bridge I, Araneta Street, Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City, at about 3:10 a.m. yesterday.

The head-on collision caused the instant death of motorcycle driver Aubrey Espinosa Rojo, of Zone 4, Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod City and injury to his companion Norlyn Mahinay Fernandez, 20, who was thrown into the river by the impact of the collision, police reports said.

Also injured were taxi driver Ronillo Morin Mesa and his passengers Albert Erica Granada; Richard Dizon Gigantuca, 28; Jay Ann Baldomar, 21 and Ana Marie Gegantuca, 29, all of Cabugwason, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, police reports said.

Case investigator PO3 Benedicto Villarias, Jr., of the Bacolod Traffic Management Unit, yesterday told the DAILY STAR, the Toyota Corolla taxi with Plate Number WMJ-389 was running from south to north on Araneta Street when it encroached on the left lane where the Kawasaki motorcycle was running from the opposite direction.

He said investigation showed the taxi dragged the motorcycle about 36 regular steps from the place of collision. Both vehicles were badly damaged, Villarias said.

He said Rojo's legs were fractured and his brains were scattered on the cemented road. On Tuesday, Fernando Bantolinao Carias, 37 and his backrider Jojie Cabalfin, 31, both of Brgy. Antipolohan, Bago City were injured when their motorcycle was hit by an Opel Astra Sedan driven by Marty Kho near the Luxur Hotel at Magsaysay-Lacson streets, Bacolod City.

Police reports showed that Carias, the motorcycle driver, who was running from north to south of Lacson Street, executed a right turn towards Magsaysay Road when the accident occurred.

Carias and Cabalfin were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital with several injuries.

Meanwhile, Acting Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar said he is warning motorists to be extra cautious when driving especially during the wee hours of the morning.

Quebrar said drivers should be defensive in order to pre-empt road accidents. He also said he has instructed his men to intensify their campaign on the "No plate, no travel policy" in the city.*DMG

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