Bus driver found liable for crash that killed beauty queen, 2 others

The driver of a bus that killed beauty queen Melody Gersbach and two others in an accident in Bicol in 2010 has been sentenced to from four to 10 years in prison, a Bicol news site reported.

 

Bicol Mail reported Pili Judge Marvel Clavecilla also ordered bus driver Wilson Pontillas to pay the heirs of Gersbach and the two others who died some P5.03 million as indemnity.

 

The bus Pontillas was driving rammed into an Asian utility vehicle Gersbach was in in Bula, Camarines Sur on Aug. 21, 2010. Killed along with Gersbach were AUV driver Santos Ramos and Alden Orense.

 

Pontillas was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, serious physical injuries, and damage to property.

 

Clavecilla ordered the driver to pay the heirs of the three people killed P75,000 each as well as expenses representing interment and burial amounting to over P4 million, the report said.

 

The court learned Pontillas was speeding while trying to overtake a motorcycle and collided with the AUV bearing the victims. The bus then rammed into an acacia tree.

 

When the court asked him why he did not blow the bus’ horn to warn oncoming traffic, Pontilla said the horn was not working well. He also said the bus was not in proper running condition at the time.

 

Bicol Mail said the order was penned as early as Sept. 29, but it got a copy of the order only this week. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News