Suspect in fatal hit and run in Antipolo arrested using car's missing side mirror

The suspect in a hit-and-run case that resulted in the death of a 69-year-old man in Antipolo City was arrested due to his car's missing side-mirror and a social media post where he was looking for a replacement.

According to a 24 Oras report by EJ Gomez on Tuesday, the driver in the hit-and-run incident left the victim mortally injured along Marcos Highway.

Beside the victim was a car side mirror that fell from the suspect’s vehicle.

In a police follow-up operation, CCTV footage showed the vehicle, and was able to get a report of a possible lead within a day.

“In less than 24 hours, nakatanggap po tayo ng impormasyon. Ipinost nila doon mismo sa isang (social media) group na nagbebenta ng mga parts ng sasakyan ay may naghahanap ng specific brand ng sasakyan na yun at kanan ang hinahanap niya sa mirror at ganito yung kulay na hinahanap,” said Antipolo Component City Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Manongdo.

(In less than 24 hours, we were able to receive vital information. A social media post was made in a group selling car parts wherein the poster was looking for a right side mirror of a particular color for a specific brand and model of car.)

The said social media post was revealed to be a car repair shop, which was able to provide information that helped identify the car owner.

“Ang kagandahan nun para itong Cinderella. Dala ng mga investigator natin yung nawawalang side mirror at it perfectly fit doon sa sasakyan na suspected po natin,” Manongdo added.

(The beauty of this is that it’s like the story of Cinderella. Our investigators brought the missing side mirror, and it perfectly fit the suspect’s vehicle.)

The suspect immediately surrendered. He claimed he did not know that he hit a person.

“Hindi ko napansin siya. Madilim kasi yung kalsada… Naramdaman ang kalabog pero hindi ko napansin na tao pala yung nasagasaan ko,” the suspect said.

(I didn’t notice him. The road was really dark… I felt the bump but I didn’t notice that I hit a person.)

“Sana maawa sila sa akin na patawarin nila ako… Nagsisisi po dahil sa nagawa kong pagtakas. Dapat tinulungan ko yung matanda,” he added.

(I hope they feel pity for me and forgive me… I regret having escaped. I should have helped the old man.)

Responders were able to rush the victim to the hospital but due to the severity of his injuries, later died during the day.

“Panagutan niya kung ano yung dapat nIyang panagutan sa tatay namin. Gusto lang po namin talaga, hustisya, pasa sa ginawa nya sa tatay ko,” said the victim’s daughter.

(He should answer for what he did to my father. All we want is justice for what he did to my father.)

The suspect is currently detained at the custodial facility of the Antipolo Component City Police Station where he is facing charges. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News