5 Photos of Kingston Ralph Cheng: Young Cebuano Businessman Who Died on Pedestrian Crossing Whilst Suspect Escaped Drunk Driving Charges

A tragic hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of 23-year-old entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng has exposed critical gaps in Cebu City's traffic enforcement system. The young businessman, founder of The Mill Lifestyle Café at Ayala Centre Cebu, died after being struck by a speeding vehicle on a pedestrian crossing, whilst the driver later tested negative for alcohol following a 19-hour delay in testing.

Kingston Ralph Cheng: Entrepreneur, Violinist, and Rising Business Figure

Kingston Ralph Ko Cheng was far more than your average cafe owner. After earning his bachelor's degree in International Business from Monash Business School in Australia, he opened The Mill Lifestyle Café at 21, quickly becoming a notable name in Cebu's business community.

He stood out because he refused to pick a lane. He handled the pressures of running a business without ever neglecting the violin, pouring the same amount of discipline into his music as he did his entrepreneurship.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry described him as someone who 'embodied the promise, creativity, and determination of Cebu's next generation of entrepreneurs'.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident: What Happened on 8 February

The incident occurred at approximately 12:53 a.m. on 8 February 2026, along Paseo Saturnino Road in Barangay Banilad. Police Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office, outlined the sequence of events during a press conference on 11 February. Sean Andrew Pajarillo, 21, was driving a Toyota Innova when he first struck a parked Toyota Vios near One Paseo but did not stop.

A few metres away, Pajarillo hit Cheng, who was crossing on the pedestrian lane. The impact reportedly threw the young businessman into a utility pole, resulting in critical injuries that led to his death at a private hospital. Police said Pajarillo attempted to flee but later crashed inside Maria Luisa Village, leading to his apprehension.

Security camera footage from that evening captured Pajarillo at a nightclub. The video shows him stumbling and falling, eventually needing help getting to his vehicle. At the scene, investigators reported detecting the smell of alcohol on his breath.

19-Hour Delay in Alcohol Testing Raises Questions

Emergency responders brought Pajarillo to a private hospital in Mandaue City upon his father's request. He was admitted to the emergency room at around 1:50 a.m. and later transferred to a private room. By 2:50 p.m., Traffic Enforcement Unit personnel coordinated with hospital officials to request liquor and drug tests.

The medical team told investigators that the procedure needed the patient's permission first. Pajarillo reportedly agreed to it. Police later learnt that the hospital had no available alcohol testing equipment.

Authorities then arranged for the test to be conducted at the Cebu City Medical Centre. The transfer was further delayed by approximately one hour and 30 minutes due to the unavailability of an ambulance.

At 7:55 p.m., Pajarillo underwent a liquor sobriety test at CCMC and tested negative. Los Baños said there is a 'big possibility' that the 18-hour and five-minute interval between the incident and the administration of the test might have affected the results.

Cebu City Admits Lacking Proper Breathalyser Equipment

Mayor Nestor Archival acknowledged on Wednesday that the case exposed the absence of breath analyser equipment in Cebu City. 'So here in Cebu, we found out that we don't have that kind of equipment,' the mayor said, referring to breath analysers that could immediately determine whether a driver was under the influence of alcohol. He explained that when Pajarillo was eventually brought to CCMC, doctors assessed his condition based on clinical observations.

The certification that he was not intoxicated came from the attending physician, not from the police. Archival added that city health officials would study what specific equipment and specifications would be required.

The mayor also noted that at present, assessments of intoxication largely rely on observable appearance and behaviour rather than on immediate, equipment-based testing.

Criminal Charges and Licence Suspension for Suspect

Pajarillo is currently under hospital arrest, monitored by TEU personnel. Authorities are preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property.

The Land Transportation Office-7 has issued a show cause order against Pajarillo and imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on his driver's licence pending investigation.

Mayor Archival said the city government plans to keep close tabs on the case and maintain full transparency throughout the investigation. 'I have instructed our police to be very transparent so that our people can see that the City Police is giving the correct and real story, especially in delivering justice to our constituents, Kingston,' he stated.

The mayor recognized the pain Cheng's family is going through. They've been asking how long this will all take, and he assured them the city will provide support as the legal process unfolds.