A 5-year-old kindergarten pupil died after she was hit by a dump truck while crossing the road in Hacienda Manaloto, Brgy. Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday morning, July 29.
The police said the child had just alighted from a tricycle and was about to cross toward her home when the truck, loaded with sand and gravel, suddenly passed by and hit her.
She died on the spot.
Lt. Col. Salvador Trono Jr., Talisay City police chief, said the dump truck was traveling from Brgy. Concepcion toward Matab-ang when the fatal incident occurred.
“This is an isolated case. It just so happened that a reckless driver was behind the wheel. He should have exercised more caution,” Trono said.
Initial investigation and the statement of the victim’s older sister confirmed that the child was with her and other minors when the incident happened.
Trono also noted possible negligence on the part of the tricycle driver, saying passengers should have been unloaded in a safer area away from passing vehicles.
The dump truck driver is now under police custody.
The victim’s family decided not to pursue legal charges after reaching a settlement with the suspect.
Trono said that had a case been filed, the driver could have faced charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.*