ROXAS City – Another police officer who figured in a vehicular crash in late May has died, according to the police in Panitan, Capiz.
Police Officer 2 Leo Bentazal fought for his life for four days before expiring in a hospital in Iloilo City on Monday, Police Officer 2 Francisco Balasa said, citing information from Bentazal’s brother-in-law.
Bentazal sustained a serious injury in his spinal cord, said Balasa, who was investigating the car crash.
Bentazal and Police Officer 2 Brix Byron Castor – both Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group members detailed at the Roxas City Airport – figured in a crash at the boundary of Roxas City and Panitan on May 31.
The Chevrolet sport utility vehicle they were riding fell off a bridge. Bentazal, who was driving, lost control when he dozed off, initial investigation showed.
At the time, the two officers were on their way to Barangay Salocon, Panitan after joining Brigada Eskwela in an elementary school in Barangay Dayao, Roxas City.
They were on night duty prior to attending activities related to the National Schools Maintenance Week the following day and thus lacked sleep, investigation further showed.
Castor was rushed to the Capiz Doctors’ Hospital. Sustaining a serious head injury, he died few hours later, police said.
Bentazal, on the other hand, was taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City./PN
