The family of hit-and-run victim Prince Joaquin Relatos is crying for justice as the suspect remains in hiding days after the fatal incident.
Relatos, who graduated with a civil engineering degree from the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos this year, died on the night of December 22 at Bangga Mt. Carmel, Circumferential Road in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City, after the tricycle he was riding on was hit by an unidentified vehicle, whose driver fled from the scene.
The impact of the accident caused the tricycle to swerve to the opposite lane where it was hit by an oncoming truck.
Relatos died on the spot while the tricycle driver was brought to the hospital after he sustained injuries.
Five days after the fatal incident, the suspect has yet to surface.
The family, in the “Justice for Prince Hit-and-Run Awareness Campaign” Facebook page, is calling on their friends and the public to help them find the person responsible for the tragic death of Relatos.
“The driver responsible never stopped to help and render aid. It is common knowledge that when vehicular accidents transpire, the succeeding few minutes are so crucial as they may sometimes help victims survive. It was a classic case of hit-and-run and consequently, Prince never stood a chance,” the post said.
They also appealed to owners of establishments and road users who may have information or camera footage of the Circumferential Road and Araneta Street on the night of the incident to coordinate with them.
They also called on car repair shops, insurance companies, car dealers, and the public to take photos of a vehicle, with plate number, that has a damaged front portion “so we can narrow down the possibilities and identify the person responsible and finally give justice to the death of Prince.”
The unidentified vehicle was either a pickup truck or sports utility vehicle, they said, adding that the car emblem was recovered from the scene and is now in the custody of the police.
The victim’s family also called on the driver to surrender. “Prince could have survived if attended (to) during that critical hour, if you didn’t run and instead sought help immediately,” they said.
“It is your recklessness and lack of compassion that caused Prince’s tragic demise. Know that there’s no statute of limitations on this. We’re not going to stop looking for you,” they added.
For those who have information and footage of the incident, the family said they can be reached at justiceforprincejr@gmail.com or on their Facebook page.*