By Jennifer P. Rendon
An elderly woman and her nephew were killed, while three others were injured, after a sports utility vehicle (SUV) crashed into their tricycle shortly before midnight on Feb. 26 in Jaro, Iloilo City.
The fatalities were identified as Delia, 61, and Ian, both residents of Zone 1, Barangay Balantang, Jaro. They succumbed to head injuries.
Police named the injured victims as Lino, 59, and Nelson, 65, also of Zone 1, Barangay Balantang, and Julius, 20, of Burgos Regidor, Dumangas, Iloilo.
Delia died more than an hour after the crash, while Ian was declared dead Thursday afternoon.
The other three victims sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital.
Reports said the victims were riding a top-down tricycle when a Toyota Fortuner SUV, driven by 18-year-old Anton of Park Place Subdivision, Barangay Poblacion, Leganes, Iloilo, hit them from behind.
The tricycle was coming from Tagbac Terminal and heading to Iloilo Terminal Market when the accident occurred.
The victims, all relatives, were vegetable vendors on their way to the market.
According to the investigation, the tricycle was traveling along the national highway when the SUV struck its rear.
Anton claimed he did not immediately notice the tricycle’s taillight.
He allegedly tried to slow down but was unable to avoid the collision.
The impact ejected the victims and their vegetable products from the vehicle.
Anton was arrested and detained two hours after the incident.
Police investigators said the crash was caused by the SUV driver’s lack of foresight and reckless driving.
