A happy reunion turned tragic when a 67-year-old woman who had just arrived in the Philippines for a vacation died when the vehicle she was riding was hit by another in Misamis Oriental.
The incident happened at an intersection in Opol town evening on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Six of the woman’s companions were wounded during the accident.
The woman and her family were heading home to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon from the Laguindingan Airport when they met the accident.
The driver of the other vehicle is a 17-year-old minor.
As seen in a CCTV footage, a speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV) is seen passing a barangay road and hitting the victims’ SUV, which was traveling the diversion road.
Because of the impact, the SUV of the victims spun several times before it overturned.
The woman died on the spot while her six companions, including a city councilor of Malaybalay City and an eight-month-old baby, were injured and were brought to the hospital.
"Naa siya sa pinakakilid sa backseat, kilid gyud sa pertahan, which is didto ang point of impact. Nabunal siguro ang iyang ulo,” Opol Municipal Police Station Investigator, Staff Sergeant Daryl Cariliman, said.
The 17-year-old driver of the other SUV was taken into police custody and may face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injury.
He said he did not notice the intersection as he was not familiar with the road.
“Naa siyay non-professional driver’s license nga gipakita sa amoa, which is authorized naman nga drive siya usa ka private vehicle,” Cariliman said.
The victims’ family is determined to press charges against the boy.
