A 33-year-old female teacher who was driving reportedly her motorcycle was hit and dragged by a car in Barangay Isian Norte, Leon town in the Province of Iloilo.
The victim was identified as Lorelie de los Reyes, called fondly by her co-teachers and pupils at Isian Norte Elementary School as “Ma’am Letlet.”
Her husband, Regie, shared to GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas how he received the bads news evening on December 3, 2024. He said he did not have the slightest inkling that the incident is tragic based on initial information relayed to him.
“Tumuloy ako sa Aleosan (District Hospital). Hindi ako kinabahan kasi ang sabi sa akin na-sideswipe lang. Tapos pagdating ko, na-shock ako dahil wala na siyang buhay,” Regie said.
Grief greeted Ma'am Letlet's colleagues and students morning on December 4, 2024. They lit candles and offered prayers for the eternal repose of Ma’am Letlet’s soul.
“Tutulong ang lahat, hindi lang ako kundi ang iba pang teachers sa District 1. Mahal ka namin Let, sa buong District 1 ng Leon,” vowed Arlene Joy Cabarles, officer in charge of Isian Norte Elementary School.
A student said that, at first, it was hard for the tragic news to sink in.
“Ma'am kung saan ka man, sana mahalin mo kami at bantayan pati ang mga teachers at buong paaralan,” Yanyan, a student, said.
Based on investigation done by Leon Municipal Police Station, the car that hit and dragged Ma'am Letlet to her death was moving speedily.
The driver was identified as Philip Maderaje. Police believe that the driver had an intake of liquor or alcoholic beverage.
“Huli na siya napansin, at sa pag-imbestiga natin medyo naka-inom. Kaya hindi niya napansin at mabilis ang kanyang pagpapatakbo,” according to Captain Martin Pugales, chief of Leon Municipal Police Station.
The driver restrained himself from revealing any further to the news team.
“Pasensya talaga, pasensya talaga,” was all that the suspect said.
However, Regie stressed that no apologies could bring back his wife to life.
“Kahit humingi pa siya ng tawad, hindi na maibabalik,” Regie said.
A case for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and damage to property was filed against the suspect.
