By Jennifer P. Rendon
A 15-year-old boy was killed in a motorcycle crash late on Feb. 20 in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
The victim, identified as alias JB, sustained fatal head and body injuries.
Reports said he was on his way to Barangay San Juan, Barotac Viejo, at around 10:44 p.m. when he crashed into a parked dump truck in Sitio Lomboy, Barangay San Roque.
He was rushed to Governor Niel Tupas Sr. District Hospital in Barotac Viejo but was declared dead on arrival.
According to initial findings, the victim’s motorcycle was running without headlights.
He was also not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The area has a four-lane road, but the dump truck was occupying one lane.
The truck driver said a malfunction in the left front tire forced him to park on the road.
However, witnesses claimed the truck did not have any early warning devices installed.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Western Visayas said it will summon the parents of two teenagers who died in separate motorcycle crashes in Iloilo province.
LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II said the parents could be held liable under Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
“We will look into the possibility that due to parental neglect, they endangered the lives of their children,” Geduspan said.
If the LTO finds negligence on their part, charges may be filed against them.
“If found guilty, they could face imprisonment,” he added.
Geduspan’s statement follows two recent road crashes involving 15-year-old motorcycle riders in Iloilo province.
Both incidents occurred on Feb. 16 in San Dionisio and San Miguel towns.
Under the law, a student driver’s license can only be issued to applicants aged 16 and above.
A non-professional driver’s license may be obtained at 17.
