US Army veteran in custody after pensioner killed in road accident

A retired American soldier was placed under police custody after his pick-up rammed a tricycle, killing a passenger and injuring four others in Ormoc City, on Sunday morning.

Police identified the motorist as Matthew del Robert, aged 46. The fatality, meanwhile, was identified as Sitay Villaluz, 79.

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According to a report on GMA News, police said that Del Robert was driving the pick-up that hit a tricycle carrying the victims.

It said that Del Robert had just overtaken another vehicle along the highway in Barangay Ipil and was trying to avoid an approaching vehicle when he hit the tricycle.

The victims were getting off the tricycle, which was parked on the highway’s shoulder, when they were hit by Del Robert’s pick-up.

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The injured included the tricycle driver identified as a certain Tani and three of his passengers who attended a mass at the village chapel.

The city rescue unit immediately responded to the area and rushed the victims to the nearest hospital.

Police investigation showed that Del Robert and a woman companion identified only as Ritchel were on their way home from Baybay City to Bantigue, a village next to where the accident happened.

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Del Robert, who was detained at the city’s police station, has promised to provide aid for the victims.

No further information is available at this time.