ORMOC CITY– A 15-year-old Grade 10 student died following a road accident involving a motorcycle and a tricycle along the national highway in Barangay Poblacion, Merida, Leyte, on April 13.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Zorren,” was reportedly driving a white-and-black Honda XRM motorcycle with his mother and a cousin as back riders when the collision occurred around 6:00 pm.
His back riders were identified as his 10-year-old cousin, alias “Louie,” and his mother, alias “Nissa,” 41, a housewife. All three are residents of Barangay Can-unzo, Merida.
According to a police report, the mother went to the Merida Municipal Police Station at around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, April 14, to report the incident. She recounted that they were traveling toward the town proper when a tricycle, driven by a certain “Tony” from Barangay Lundag, was spotted at the right shoulder of the road and suddenly signaled a U-turn.
“Nissa” said she immediately warned her son to brake, but a collision still occurred. The impact caused all three motorcycle riders to fall to the pavement. The boy’s abdomen reportedly struck the handlebar of the motorcycle.
The teenager was rushed to Gatchalian Hospital in Ormoc City onboard a municipal ambulance, but he was declared dead by attending physicians while undergoing treatment.
Authorities are conducting a follow-up investigation to determine liability and further circumstances surrounding the incident.
(ROBERT DEJON)
