Driver tests negative for alcohol in Banilad hit-and-run that killed young entrepreneur; CCCI calls for road safety reforms

The driver of a Toyota Innova involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Barangay Banilad early Sunday, February 8, 2026, tested negative for alcohol, police said, as the Cebu business community mourned the death of a young entrepreneur and called for stronger road safety measures.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said hospital findings showed that driver Sean Andrew Pajarillo had not consumed alcohol prior to the incident.

“The results came out negative,” Los Baños said in Cebuano.

Pajarillo remains confined in a hospital under police custody, with personnel from the CCPO Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) stationed to monitor him. Authorities are preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property.

Initial investigation by the TEU showed that Pajarillo first struck a parked Toyota Vios near One Paseo along Paseo Saturnino Road at around 12:53 a.m. Instead of stopping, he allegedly accelerated and continued driving.

A short distance away, the vehicle hit Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng, who was walking along the road. The impact reportedly threw Cheng into a utility pole. He was brought to a private hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police said Pajarillo attempted to flee the scene but crashed upon entering Maria Luisa Village, leading to his apprehension. He was subsequently transported to the hospital.

The incident has drawn strong reactions from Cebu’s business sector, with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) issuing a statement mourning Cheng’s death and urging reforms to improve road safety.

The chamber described Cheng as a promising member of the local entrepreneurial community, saying his loss was deeply felt across Cebu’s business ecosystem.

“This senseless tragedy highlights the urgent need to strengthen accountability, road safety, and the protection of human life,” the chamber said.

CCCI called for fairness and justice for the victim and urged authorities to conduct a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation to ensure accountability under the law.

The group also emphasized that the fatal incident reflects broader issues concerning road safety policy, enforcement, and infrastructure. It noted that traffic accidents continue to result in the loss of lives, property, and livelihoods across communities.

According to CCCI, both local and national governments must take coordinated and decisive steps to improve road safety through policy reform, effective enforcement, and infrastructure upgrades.

The chamber stressed the importance of pedestrian safety, highlighting the need to reclaim sidewalks and public walkways to ensure they are clear and unobstructed.

“Road safety is not solely a matter of enforcement; it is a matter of design, governance, and shared responsibility,” CCCI said.

The group added that honoring the memory of those lost in traffic incidents requires meaningful and lasting reforms to make roads safer for all users.

CCCI expressed hope that the tragedy would serve as a wake-up call for sustained action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, police said they are finalizing documentation for the filing of appropriate charges against the driver. Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.