ILOILO – An eight-month-old baby girl died while seven others were injured in a collision between a motorcycle and a tricycle early yesterday morning, July 14, in Barangay Sulangan, Dumangas, Iloilo.
The accident occurred around 6 a.m. and involved a Honda Click motorcycle driven by a 15-year-old boy from Barangay Cayos and a tricycle driven by a 53-year-old man identified by the alias “Rodel.”
According to initial police reports, the minor, who was not wearing a helmet and had borrowed the motorcycle from a relative, was reportedly overspeeding when he lost control of the brakes. The motorcycle slid and veered into the opposite lane, colliding with the oncoming tricycle.
The impact caused the tricycle to overturn. The infant was thrown from the vehicle and struck by the rear wheel of the motorcycle, sustaining a fatal head injury. The baby girl was pronounced dead shortly after.
Meanwhile, seven other passengers sustained minor injuries, and both drivers were reported to be in stable condition.
Police Master Sergeant Jhon Mark Tuazon, investigator at the Dumangas Municipal Police Station (MPS), confirmed that both vehicles were traveling toward each other prior to the collision.
The minor was turned over to the Dumangas Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) pending further investigation.
Tuazon stressed the vital role of parental supervision, especially in preventing underage individuals from operating motor vehicles.
“It is the responsibility of parents to closely monitor their children. Accidents like this often end in tragedy for innocent victims,” he said.
He also reiterated the persistent issues of underage driving, failure to wear helmets, and other traffic violations despite ongoing road safety campaigns.
In response to the incident, the Dumangas police issued a reminder to parents about the serious legal and safety consequences of allowing unlicensed minors to drive, emphasizing the need for vigilance to prevent further loss of life./PN
