Hit-and-run Driver Arrested in Bohol

A hit-and-run driver who killed a medtech student on Christmas Day was arrested by the police in a joint operation in Loon and Talibon, Bohol.

The driver, Rocky Udtohan, 54, from Barili, Cebu, was driving a color-violated multicab when he hit John Mersan Auxtero, a student at Holy Name University (HNU), and his friends who were riding a motorcycle in Barangay San Jose, Talibon, around 10 am on December 25, 2023.

Udtohan did not stop to help the victims and fled the scene. Auxtero died on the spot while his friends sustained minor injuries.

The police launched a manhunt for the suspect after receiving a report from a witness who saw the multicab’s plate number. They also received a tip from a concerned citizen who spotted the multicab in Loon, Bohol, where Udtohan was hiding with his wife, who is a person with disabilities (PWD), and another male companion.

The police arrested Udtohan and his companions around 8 pm on the same day and brought them to the Talibon PNP station. Udtohan confessed that he was traveling in Bohol and that he fell asleep while driving, causing him to hit the motorcycle. He said he panicked and ran away.

Udtohan will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, slight physical injuries, and damage to properties. He is currently detained at the Talibon PNP station while awaiting trial.

The family and friends of Auxtero mourned his death and demanded justice for him. They described him as a bright and kind student who had a bright future ahead of him. They also thanked the police and the public for their quick and efficient action in catching the suspect.

The incident sparked outrage and sadness among the residents of Talibon and Bohol, who condemned the driver’s irresponsibility and callousness. They also called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and road safety measures to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.