Truck hits tricycle; 5-year old girl killed

A five-year-old girl on her way to her school's Christmas party was killed after a dump truck hit the tricycle she and her mother were riding in Mabini, Batangas.

According to Joseph Morong's Friday report on "24 Oras," the victim was identified as Shen-Kyria Venice de Castro. In the CCTV footage, the victim's mother riding at the back of the tricycle fell after being hit by the truck.

Police Major Mickglo Marinas, chief of the Mabini Police Station, said truck driver Edgardo Otlang lost control of his vehicle when the brakes malfunctioned.

In the death certificate shared by the victim's family, the death was due to massive blood loss.

Meanwhile, Otlang was detained at the police station and faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury.

"Galing ako sa taas paglabas ko ng konti sa circle yung sa kaliwa merong mga sasakyan. Siyempre iniwasan ko sila. May tricycle sumalubong sa akin dun siya natamaan kasi wala pong preno talaga po eh wala na akong magawa," he said.

Meanwhile, motorist John Pacun was killed after his car and and a truck, a mixer, collided in Tarlac's Gerona town.

According to authorities,Pacun's companion, the truck driver and his helper were injured in the crash.

"Pagkabangga, pinilit pong iliko ‘yung truck nung driver pero parang tatama siya sa poste . Bigla niyang binalik. Nangyari, natumba ‘yung transit mixer,” said Gerona Police Station Investigator Chief Master Sergeant Armin Alimboyogen.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said vehicular crashes usually increased during the holiday season.

"Ito po' yung mga araw na madalas po ang mga Christmas parties. Pero on Christmas Day itself po, we also noticed na 'yung mga tao, nasa bahay lang. Magaan din ang traffic on Christmas Day po," said MMD spokesperson Attorney Mel Carunungan.

Data showed that over 5,000 crashed occurred every month this year, mostly in Quezon City, followed by Manila, Pasig, Makati, and Taguig.

Authorities reminded the public not to drink and drive, not only for themselves and their families but also for other motorists' safety. — Sherylin Untalan