BACOLOD City – A 26-year-old woman died while a tricycle driver was injured after their vehicle figured in a head-on collision with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) along the national highway in Barangay Palaka Sur, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, on Monday afternoon, August 3.
Police identified the fatality only by her alias “Mae,” a fish vendor from Barangay Sagwa Banwa, Valladolid, Negros Occidental.
She was riding as a passenger in a tricycle driven by a 24-year-old man identified only as alias “Ken” of Barangay Sampinit, Bago City.
According to the Pulupandan Municipal Police Station (MPS), the accident occurred at about 5:31 p.m. along the Negros South Road in Purok Patola.
Initial investigation showed that a black Suzuki Jimny driven by a 45-year-old man identified only as alias “Roland” was traveling from Bago City toward Valladolid.
Also on board the SUV was a 60-year-old passenger, identified only as alias “Edmund,” a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Hinigaran.
Police said the tricycle was traveling in the opposite direction when it allegedly lost control due to a mechanical problem involving its handlebar.
The tricycle reportedly swerved into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming SUV.
The SUV driver and his passenger were unhurt in the crash.
The tricycle driver sustained minor injuries, while the female passenger suffered severe injuries.
Responders from the Pulupandan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) rushed the victims to the Valladolid District Hospital, where the woman was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police took the SUV driver and the vehicle into custody for proper documentation and investigation as authorities continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal road accident./PN
