A 75-year-old Japanese man died after he was hit by a truck in Barangay Golden, Mapandan, Pangasinan, early morning on Friday, December 27, 2024.

The victim was identified as Hyakuju Moteki, a resident of Barangay Apaya in the same town.

Moteki was reportedly sitting drunk in the middle of the road when the accident happened.

Florante Petrola, the truck driver, expressed his remorse.

“Sana, Sir, patawarin nila ako. Hindi ko nakita yung nakaupo sa kalsada, Sir. Noong pag-preno ko, wala na naabot na,” Petrola said.

The Mapandan Police Chief, PCpt. Benedict Espinoza, reminded everyone about road safety and vehicle maintenance, especially at night.

“Hindi lang po ‘yung pag-iingat ang gagawin natin. Tingnan ang sarili natin. Mga sasakyan natin. Okay lang ba ang ilaw? Lalo na pag bumabiyahe ng gabi,” Espinoza said.

Police continue to investigate while efforts to contact the victim’s family are ongoing.

The Department of Health (DOH) reports a nine percent increase in road accidents this holiday season, with 284 incidents recorded across eight monitored pilot sites from December 22 to 27, 2024.