MikeLigalig.com

By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The driver of the van that hit and ran over 10-year-old Ateneo Grade School student Julian Carlo Miguel “Amiel” Alcantara last year pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, serious physical injuries and damage to property.

Assisted by her lawyer, Ma. Theresa Torres was arraigned before Judge Angelene Mary Quimpo-Sale of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 106.

Torres was driving on the school campus in February last year when she hit Alcantara, a Grade 4 student. The boy was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. His nanny, who had pushed the boy’s older brother and sister out of the van’s path, sustained serious leg injuries.

“She is innocent of the charges because we maintain it was an accident. And we are prepared to prove it was purely an accident,” Torres’ lawyer, Rolando Villones, told reporters.

At yesterday’s hearing which was closed to media, the judge ordered both parties to undergo mediation as mandated by the law covering lesser offenses.

Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide carries a minimum penalty of four to six years’ imprisonment. Circumstances such as the accused’s failure to bring the victim to a hospital can aggravate the prescribed penalty. Villones said the mediation, which the judge set on Nov. 10, would focus only on the civil aspect of the case.

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