Armored van kills lady traffic enforcer
By Alexanderia San Juan
A female traffic enforcer was killed after she was hit by a speeding armored vehicle which tried to enter the yellow lane meant for public vehicles along northbound lane of EDSA in Quezon City yesterday.
The Quezon City Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit identified the victim as Maricel Gammad, 27, a traffic constable 3 of MMDA.
Initial investigation showed that Gammad was manning traffic near Baliwag Transit terminal on EDSA past 10 a.m. when she was hit by an armored car with plate number WHZ 330 driven by 40-year-old Dennis Ellaraiz.
Gammad’s fellow traffic enforcer, TC3 Russel Jacinto, said they had just started their duty when the incident happened.
Gammad was directing public and private vehicles to their respective lanes. However, Ellaraiz’s armored van, which came from the northbound tunnel, tried to enter the yellow lane meant for public vehicles, hitting Gammad who was standing there.
Due to the impact, Gammad was thrown away thrice, severely injuring her head.
“Papasok siya ng yellow lane. Ang sabi niya sa akin nung tinanong ko sya, pupunta daw sya ng Q-Mart kaya sya pumasok na agad ng yellow lane,” Jacinto said when she initially asked the suspect.
Jacinto explained that there are no traffic jams on both lanes.
MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said that their ambulance immediately responded to the scene and rushed Gammad to East Avenue Medical Center where she died while undergoing treatment at almost 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, Ellariz, who was also a security guard from Royal Mandarin security agency, is currently detained at the QCPD Headquarters in Camp Karingal and would face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide while further investigation is ongoing.
MMDA Chairman General Danilo Lim and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia personally went to the hospital to check the condition of Gammad Thursday afternoon, minutes before the victim died.