Korean Enters ‘Not Guilty’ Plea

[Medic Mike]

THE Korean mother driving the van which hit and killed a female traffic enforcer near Gaisano Country Mall in Banilad, Cebu City last month pleaded “not guilty” to charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Sun Kyung Heo was arraigned yesterday before Judge Oscar Andrino of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities. She is currently out on bail. The judge directed the parties to undergo mediation on Aug. 29 to see if they can reach an amicable settlement.

The July 15 death of Maria Teresa Basones highlighted the traffic congestion on the Banilad-Talamban road where the accident occured during peak traffic about 6 p.m. and the work hazards of traffic enforcers who stand in the middle of moving traffic to guide vehicles because of inadequate traffic signal lights.

After her death, City Hall officials said they would look into accident insuarnce for Citom staff, and ordered luminous gloves and orange vests to make them more visible on the street.

Sun, who has been living in Cebu with her two children for several years, considers Cebu her home.

She posted P30,000 bail

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/38929/korean-enters-not-guilty-plea

[Medic Mike]

"and ordered luminous gloves and orange vests to make them more visible on the street".

It is about time!

[Steve & Myrlita]

It took a horrible tragic death to get some equipment issued that should have been done years ago. This is another testiment of the lack of common sense here.

[Methersgate]

I have seen it suggested that the equipment has been available but people would not wear it as it does not look "cool" - the curse of "macho" strikes again.

[scott h]

The judge directed the parties to undergo mediation on Aug. 29 to see if they can reach an amicable settlement.

 

By my perverse way of thinking if the judge ordered mediation, then the driver is not facing "criminal" charges. If the driver was at fault then she should face criminal charges then the family can sue etc etc.

 

If in fact she was at fault and the "system" allows her to "buy" justice IMHO that's just wrong lolol :1 (103): . Lived here going on two years, married to a Filipina for 20 and I can still be amazed. :hystery:

[MikeB]

This case is a little different because the Citom traffic enforcer was a government employee killed while performing her job so the government filed the case, not the family. It appears that the court will accept an agreement between the parties and drop the case but I don't think they have to.

Prior to this incident all traffic enforcers were "required" to purchase the reflective clothing out of their clothing allowance and wear it but many refused. Now they're going to give them the equipment, remains to be seen if they will wear it. That area where the accident occurred is terrible, especially around 6pm when it happened.  

[Medic Mike]

I have seen it suggested that the equipment has been available but people would not wear it as it does not look "cool" - the curse of "macho" strikes again.

I have the same problem with my guys, I have to always nag them to make sure they wear their hi-vis when we are road-side attending MVAs.