By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – A tragic accident claimed the lives of two senior high school students when their motorcycle collided with a sugarcane-laden truck parked in Barangay Tabu, Ilog, Negros Occidental last Friday.
The identities of the two student-athletes, ages 16 and 17, have been withheld.
The town police chief, Police Major Joseph Partidas, reported that the 17-year-old driver lost control of the motorcycle due to excessive speed, leading to a collision with the rear of the parked truck.
Partidas also mentioned that prior to the accident, the driver had planned to take his companion home before heading to a school tennis practice.
According to Partidas, both victims sustained severe head injuries and were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident.
They were pronounced dead at the hospital, Partidas confirmed.
The investigation continues as to how the underage driver was able to operate the motorcycle without a license, said Partidas.
He also confirmed that the truck driver was released from police custody following the standard 18-hour detention period, and after an initial agreement was reached with the families of the victims.
