Students along with their parents were crossing the street on the designated pedestrian lane in Bacolod City, but a tricycle drove straight at them.

Seven students and two mothers who were escorting their children were hit and thrown off on impact.

The victims sustained injuries.

The accident happened afternoon on November 19, 2024, in front of Sum-ag Elementary School.

The tricycle driver was identified as 78-year-old Nelson Jalandoni.

“Nakakaawa ang mga bata. Si Renz, umiiyak siya dahil sa mama niya,” Ma. Leza Magbanua, a teacher, said.

Renz is among the students hurt along with his mother. His father, Romy Palomo, went emotional upon learning of the incident. Renz's mother had to undergo medical operation for severe injuries.

“Ang asawa ko, hindi makagalaw, wasak ang kanyang bibig, putol ang kanyang paa, kailangan na i-stainless. Sana naman maoperahan na siya. Mahirap lang kami,” Romy said.

According to the police, the driver could have lost control of the vehicle.

Based on the statement of Jalandoni’s children, they have asked their father to stop driving the tricycle because of his age.

“Sa edad na 78 years old, hindi na dapat siya pwedeng mag-drive ng tricyle. Kaya iyon, nagulat din ang mga anak niya na nag-drive siya,” said Major Ramel Sarona, chief of the Bacolod City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit.

The police took the driver into their custody. However, he was released on November 20, 2024 after the reglementary period lapsed. The respective families of the victims have not decided yet whether to pursue a case against Jalandoni for reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries.

GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas went to see the driver in his residence in Barangay Sum-ag, but he was not around. It was learned that he went out for a medical check-up.

Of the nine victims, two are still admitted at the hospital as of this writing.

To avoid a similar incident, the school would seek additional personnel to man the pedestrian lane.

"Magdagdag ng pulis, enforcers, at additional tanod, especially sa afternoon, dismissal time,” Dr. Ma. Corazon Alfiscar, school principal, said.