THE fatal auto-pedestrian crash that occurred on the evening of Oct. 18 in San Roque was not a hit-and-run case, Department of Public Safety spokesman Dre Pangelinan said.
No alcohol was involved, and the incident is still under investigation, he added.
According to DPS, the victim was a 39-year-old local man and the 32-year-old driver was also a local man. DPS did not provide their names, but Variety learned that the victim was Melvin T. Sakisat, a cancer survivor and an advocate of the Commonwealth Cancer Association.
He was hit by a vehicle on his way to work.
He was transported to the Commonwealth Health Center around 10 p.m. but succumbed to his injuries around midnight. Sakisat was officially pronounced dead at 12:53 a.m.
On social media, the Commonwealth Cancer Association stated, “Melvin found the CCA after he was diagnosed with oral cancer and he had been an impassioned health champion ever since. He spent years advocating against the deadly habits that cause oral cancer and by sharing his story, he touched lives. His legacy lives on.”
Sakisat is survived by his daughter Lina, and siblings Molly, Eda, Jerome, Julian and Peter.
His brother Julian has created a GoFundMe account to help raise funds for the victim’s funeral.
According to his brother Julian, “Melvin [was] a generous person and a loving father to Lina Sakisat. He brought…joy…and touched many hearts through his kindness and cheerful personality. Melvin fought cancer for six years and survived. With his determination and commitment to share his experience and spread awareness, he became an advocate of the Commonwealth Cancer Association as a spokesperson touching the community’s hearts and encouraging patients battling cancer to keep fighting. Our beloved late Melvin T. Sakisat’s memory will live on and forever remain in the hearts he touched. A remarkable man, a father, a friend, and most significantly, a brother. My family and I will greatly appreciate any amount of donation that will go towards his funeral expenses. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
For those interested in donating, go to https://www.gofundme.com/yedaa-funeral-expenses/.
