Habal-habal passenger dies, rider injured after bus hits motorcycle in EDSA busway

A habal-habal passenger died and a rider was injured after their motorcycle hit by a bus inside the EDSA busway in Quezon City on Monday morning.

In a report by Jun Veneracion in 24 Oras on Monday, the victim was declared dead on the spot after he was run over and pinned underneath a bus at the North Avenue portion of the EDSA busway.  

The victim was a passenger of a habal-habal rider who violated traffic regulations and entered the busway.

The rider told authorities they entered the busway to perform a U-turn but were instead hit by a bus.

According to the rider he survived by rolling away from his vehicle but his passenger jumped and was run over by the bus. 

The rider admitted his fatal mistake, which led to the death of the victim who he said was a long-time acquaintance. He asked forgiveness from the man’s family.

The bus driver said the motorcycle suddenly appeared in front of him where no other vehicle was supposed to be.

MMDA personnel had to lift the bus in order to recover the victim’s body that was pinned underneath.

Traffic flow resumed once the scene of the accident was cleared.

At the scene, police said they recovered a handgun, several magazines loaded with bullets and documentation.

The firearm was reportedly owned by the victim who was identified as Johaiver Omar. Police said the weapon had all the necessary IDs and permits to carry firearms.

Police said Omar’s relatives told them the victim owned a business and that the gun was for his personal protection.

They added the bus and habal habal drivers are currently in detention and both men are facing a complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.  

Inside their cell, the habal habal driver also asked the bus driver for forgiveness.

The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation said the accident should serve as a reminder to motorists that unauthorized vehicles must not use the EDSA busway.—RF, GMA Integrated News