CEBU CITY — A 59-year-old motorcycle rider is in critical condition after a collision at a busy Cebu City intersection, with investigators saying CCTV footage showed he allegedly continued through a red traffic signal before crashing into another motorcycle.
The incident happened at around 8:58 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the intersection of P. Del Rosario and Junquera streets in Barangay San Antonio, Cebu City.
The rider was identified as Segundo Butaya, 59, of Catarman, Liloan. He was reportedly riding a Honda Click and was found unconscious after the collision. Emergency responders brought him to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), where he remained in critical condition.
Butaya had an 18-year-old back rider, Warren Tudlas of Ginatilan, who sustained minor injuries. The other motorcycle involved was a Yamaha Mio, driven by Richard Gabrillo, 50, of Basak San Nicolas, who also suffered minor injuries.
CCTV footage becomes key to investigation
According to the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit, investigators reviewed footage from the Cebu City Government’s Eagle Eye surveillance system.
The footage reportedly showed Gabrillo’s motorcycle stopping at the intersection while the traffic signal on Junquera Street, heading toward downtown Cebu City, was red.
When the signal turned green, Gabrillo began moving through the intersection.
Investigators said Butaya, who was traveling along P. Del Rosario Street toward the South Bus Terminal, allegedly continued through the intersection despite the red light. The two motorcycles then collided.
The force of the crash sent both motorcycles tumbling onto the concrete road and threw their riders from the vehicles.
When personnel from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office arrived, Butaya was already unconscious and was immediately transported to CCMC.
What authorities have established so far
The available reports do not indicate that authorities have made a final legal determination of fault. The description that Butaya “beat the red light” is based on the initial investigation and CCTV footage, so it is more accurate to describe the incident as an alleged red-light violation rather than a proven offense.
The crash remains a reminder of how quickly a traffic-signal violation can turn a routine nighttime ride into a serious collision.
For motorists and motorcycle riders, the incident also underscores the importance of waiting for a clear green signal, checking cross traffic even when a light changes, and avoiding excessive speed when approaching intersections.
As of the latest reports, Butaya remained in critical condition, while the two other people involved were reported to have sustained minor injuries.
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