The suspect in the hit-and-run incident in Pasig City last Tuesday surrendered to the police yesterday, after one of the victims died the other day.
Police Col. Rizalito Gapas, Pasig police chief, identified the suspect as 29-year-old Adrian Russel King Carlos.
Pelagio Lawrence Cuison, Carlos’ legal counsel, said that his client was unaware that he has hit the motorcycle of Rusanna Ugto and her live-in partner Mark Joseph Belen on Marcos Highway.
“He was unaware that he already hit the victims. He only knew the day after,” Cuison said. “When the video was already in the news and Carlos saw what he believed was his car, that was the time he thought he was involved in the accident,” he said.
“After that he consulted with his family. Then finally on Friday, we advised that he should coordinate with the authorities,” he added.
Cuison denied allegations that Carlos was under the influence of illegal drugs at the time of the accident. “He was not under the influence,” Cuison said.
Gapas said Carlos will take “full responsibility” for the incident. “He was remorseful and he also apologized,” said Gapas who also interviewed Carlos.
Gapas also said that Ugto died died at the hospital Friday night. Belen reportedly suffered a fracture on his leg.
Initial investigation showed that at around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, the motorcycle driven by Belen with Ugto as backrider was travelling on Marcos Highway in Barangay Santolan when a sedan overtook, swerved left, and hit them.
Belen and Ugto, who reportedly came from Quezon City, slammed on the road and both sustained physical injuries.
They were taken to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center in Marikina City were Ugto was comatose for days until she died.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, damage to property, and physical injury will be filed against Carlos, Gapas said. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)
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