Marikina vice mayor’s son faces raps over teacher’s death in road crash

MANILA, Philippines — The son of Marikina City Vice Mayor Del de Guzman is facing a charge for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property over the death of a public school teacher during a road crash incident.

In a statement, the Marikina City Police Station said it had filed the charges against the respondent, whom it identified as David Alfre Gonzaga de Guzman, 24, before the local prosecutor’s office after the victim, Alexander Quintos Cruz, 27, succumbed to his injuries last Saturday night.

De Guzman was allegedly driving a Honda CR-V toward the intersection of General Ordoñez Street and Russet Street in Barangay Concepcion Dos in Marikina City early morning last June 13 when he supposedly collided with Cruz, who was aboard a Yamaha Mio Aerox motorcycle, the Marikina police detailed.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: 3 dead, 10 hurt in 6-vehicle crash in Marikina

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

It noted that Cruz was thrown onto the pavement by the collision and sustained serious injuries, prompting authorities to transport him to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

“Meanwhile, the driver of [the Honda CR-V] was subjected to an alcohol breath analyzer examination conducted by personnel of the Land Transportation Office, which yielded a positive result for blood alcohol concentration,” the Marikina police explained.

De Guzman was taken into police custody.

READ: Motorcyclist killed, 13 hurt in 3-vehicle crash in Bohol town

Article continues after this advertisement

An initial complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries and damage to property, as well as violation of Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act was filed before the city prosecutor’s office against de Guzman, the police said.

He then posted bail for his provisional liberty before Cruz succumbed to his injuries, it added.

Article continues after this advertisement

De Guzman has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

However, despite identifying De Guzman, the Marikina City Police Station said, “With respect to reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged relationship of Mr. De Guzman to a public official of the City, this Office has not received any official confirmation regarding such matter.”

“No member of the concerned family, nor any representative acting on their behalf, has raised, invoked, or represented any such relationship at any stage of the investigation,” it added.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Cruz’s mother, May Ann, said she had submitted to the city prosecutor’s office the certified true copy of her son’s death certificate as part of their bid to charge De Guzman.

“It hurts to lose a child. My only desire now is for the law to be given more teeth against the perpetrator who did this to Alexander, May Ann said, speaking in Filipino.

“We won’t stop for as long as justice is not done and the perpetrator is not charged,” she added.

In a separate social media post, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina Senior High School, where Cruz served as a humanities and social sciences teacher, mourned his passing.

“Sir Alex was more than an educator. He was a mentor, a colleague, a friend, and an inspiration to countless students whose lives he touched through his dedication, kindness, and passion for teaching,” the school said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“His unwavering commitment to shaping young minds and serving the Humanista community will never be forgotten,” it added. /cb