Quick Facts About Kingston Ralph Cheng: Rising Entrepreneur Killed by Drunk Driver While Walking

The vibrant life of a young and promising entrepreneur and musician, Kingston Ralph Cheng, ended abruptly after a drunk driver hit him while he was walking on the street. Cheng's death stirred an uproar because the responding officers did not immediately put the driver to an alcohol test.

Cheng, 23, was walking near the entrance of a subdivision and a local pub when a speeding car hit him out of nowhere. He was rushed to a private hospital but was pronounced dead after arrival.

Who Is Kingston Ralph Cheng: 'A Gentle and Decent Man'

Kingston Ralph Cheng was widely recognised as a rising entrepreneur with a keen eye for innovation and a deep-seated passion for the arts. He is the founder of The Mill Lifestyle Cafe at Ayala Center Cebu.

Beyond his business acumen, he was a celebrated violin prodigy, known for performances that displayed a technical mastery far beyond his years. Cheng was a member of the String Edition Orchestra, a performing ensemble led by Marc Mercado.

Cheng enrolled in a violin class under Mercado when he was 13. According to Mercado, he had the technical skills and discipline in his craft.

'He was violin 1 material,' Mercado told CDN Digital on Thursday, 12 February. 'Never showed up unprepared in rehearsals and performances.'

Cheng's colleague also remembered him for his dedication to music, kind spirit, and vibrant energy.

Mercado also remembered the late musician for his kind spirit and vibrant energy. Cheng was also reportedly very dedicated to music.

'Kingston was a very respectful man. He's reserved and doesn't talk nonsense,' Mercado continued. 'When I joked around to loosen him up because he wanted things done, he'd always get back to the topic. He was focused and driven.'

Cheng was also very considerate of other people's time and was a 'family-oriented boy at 13,' per Mercado.

'He was loved by his fellow musicians, and he enjoyed hanging out with us,' Mercado said. 'He was a gentle and decent man, but I still see the young boy in him.'

Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident Involving a Drunk Driver

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, 8 February, in Banilad, Cebu City. Cheng was walking home when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Sean Andrew Pajarillo, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the collision.

Witnesses described a harrowing scene where the force of the impact left Cheng with catastrophic injuries that ultimately proved fatal.

Authorities later apprehended Pajarillo. He tested negative for alcohol and drug tests, sparking a furor among the public because he was reportedly reeking of alcohol at the time, but wasn't placed on alcohol and drug tests immediately. The Land and Transportation Office (LTO) was also not convinced of the results, given the time that had elapsed.

Additionally, Pajarillo failed to present a valid driver's license or registration documents for the vehicle he was driving, SunStar reported.

Pajarillo, who is receiving medical treatment, has been placed under hospital arrest.

'A Masterclass in Failure'

James Deakin, a Filipino-British TV host, automotive journalist, and motoring editor for Philippine Tatler, called out the Philippine Congress and several agencies for failing to uphold the Republic Act 10586—the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, which became a law in 2013.

Deakin was among those who lobbied for the bill. When it became law, he warned the public that it would not be as effective without breathalyzer, which the government has failed to deploy to date.

'This is what a Masterclass in Failure looks like,' he wrote on Facebook.

Deakin noted that CCTV footage showed Pajarillo' stumbling, falling, and being helped to his car,' suggesting he was drunk. Those who responded to the scene also 'smelled alcohol on his breath,' but he tested negative because the alcohol test only happened '19 hours later.'

'The LTO and PNP failed their mandate to equip. The DOTr, DOH, and NAPOLCOM failed to oversee the rules they co-authored. Congress failed to check if the law they passed was ever actually born,' Deakin wrote.

He added that Cheng died because 'a law meant to protect him exists only on paper.' So, he called for 'a full congressional audit of RA 10586.'

'We demand mandatory, on-scene breathalyzer deployment for every crash involving injury. We demand accountability for every official who sat on their hands while the body count rose,' Deakin concluded, adding, 'Enough.'

Mayor Nestor Archival issued a statement saying Cheng's case 'is being handled with seriousness and fairness.' 'No one is above the law, and accountability will be based on the full facts of the case,' the mayor added.

The LTO issued a show-cause order against the vehicle's registered owner. The agency also ordered Pajarillo to surrender his license and imposed a 90-day preventive suspension.

LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lakanilao, who travelled to Cebu to evaluate the incident, recommended a lifetime ban on Pajarillo's driver's license. However, this is still subject to legal process.

According to Lakanilao, it is unacceptable for a drunk driver to operate a vehicle, and since a life was lost, Pajarillo could face the maximum administrative penalty.