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Police identifies hit-and-run suspect
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Posted on Oct 11 2005
Police have identified the suspect in an alleged hit-and-run accident that happened along Chalan Pale Arnold Highway in Tanapag Friday night that cost the life of a pedestrian.
The Department of Public Safety identified the suspect as Thomas Dela Cruz Joab Jr., an 18-year-old from Capitol Hill. Joab was driving a 1997 Honda Civic sedan at the time of the accident.
Police earlier reported that Joab presented himself to investigators accompanied by his father after initially fleeing the scene.
DPS identified the victim as Stanley Aguon Matagolai, a Kagman III resident, who was declared dead on arrival at the Commonwealth Health Center minutes after the road accident happened.
Acting DPS spokesman Eric David yesterday said that initial investigations showed that the accident was caused by “pedestrian error” because the victim crossed the road on a non-marked crosswalk along the highway.
Joab was taken to DPS headquarters for further interview. Until yesterday, though, police said Joab has not been placed under arrest, while investigation is still ongoing and no charges have been filed against him.
David said that pedestrians should always yield to passing vehicles, but if the pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk then he would have the right of way. He said the pedestrian lane was 265 feet away from the site of the accident.
