Van driver pleads guilty in car crash case, says Karyn Velez’s kin 

The family of the late Filipino-American badminton player Karyn Velez has declared that some justice has been served two years after she died in a car crash in 2013.

In a statement, Karyn's father Jofer Velez said the driver of the delivery van that hit her car before midnight of Aug. 11, 2013 has changed his plea to guilty in the criminal charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide "thereby conceding that our version is the correct one."

The van, according to the facts of the case, rear-ended Karyn's car and severed two of her vertebrae, causing her death.

"What was disputed is how the collision happened. The van's driver, Argie Biagtan who hails from
Pangasinan, and his two companions, both also employees of Unipack, initially accused Karyn of driving southbound on C5, suddenly crossing over the center island, spinning precisely 180°, then landing exactly in front of the Unipack van, leaving him no time to avoid or slow down," the statement read.

The family said initial news reports relied solely on the driver's testimony and those of his companions. It lamented that Karyn was portrayed as an irresponsible driver.

"Biagtan stuck to his story for over a year and a half until eventually changing his plea to guilty of the criminal charge: 'reckless imprudence resulting in homicide' thereby conceding that our version is the correct one," the statement read.

The statement said two witnesses, a volunteer firefighter and his girlfriend, saw the accident as they were at the top of the Ortigas flyover at the time. They testified that Karyn's car did not cross to the wrong side of the road, that Karyn had her seatbelt on, and that her car didn't reek of liquor.

"Ultimately, the testimony of these two witnesses sealed Biagtan’s fate and served justice for Karyn," the statement said.

It added that Karyn's vehicle was also well-maintained.

"Finally, as a USA badminton athlete and Olympics hopeful, Karyn was being monitored by USADA, the United States Anti-Doping Administration -- the same organization that tested Manny Pacquiao 12 times before his fight against Floyd Mayweather. She was subject to random testing 24/7 anywhere in the world." the family said.

"There is no way Karyn would risk her entire career and passion by taking an illegal substance.
Our family chose to wait for the court's decision instead of responding immediately to the articles. We wanted to be armed with facts, research, logic and jurisprudence. We obtained the first three quickly, but it took almost two years to complete the fourth," it added.

"With the judicial proceedings settled and Mr. Biagtan admitting to criminal negligence while driving the Unipack van, we respectfully request that you print our now-undisputed version of events," the family said. - NB, GMA News