Impaired taxi driver kills pedestrian

A 72-year-old man, died on Thursday, July 28  in the emergency room of the Rafael Hernández Regional Hospital in David, Chiriquí, after being hit by a taxi whose 33-year-old driver who was under the influence of alcohol.

César Enrique Espinoza was hit by the taxi on the main road of Santa Rosa, on the bridge over Quebrada Bejuco when the driver lost control, hitting the victim before slamming into the bridge rail.

The taxi driver received minor injuries. A breathalyzer test registered 73 Mg / Dl of breath alcohol (proven drunkenness).

Commissioner Elmer Castillo, Chief of the Transit Operations Subdirectorate (SDOT), reported that he is concerned about the number of drivers who have been caught under the influence of alcohol.

On the same day, another impaired driver who overturned a vehicle was found to be suspended from driving because of previous impaired driving offenses.

He  added that there have been 35 alcohol  abuse cases that resulted in 19 deaths due to accidents in Chiriqui

1,653 drivers have been sanctioned for proven drunkenness in the province r, and 153 of them have been involved in crashes, collisions, and infractions.