Tragic end for family of three after speeding van ruins their journey

• A 35-year-old man, his 34-year-old wife, and their 10-year-old son were killed after a speeding van crashed into their motorcycle in Pola, Oriental Mindoro
• The victims were on their way to a transport terminal for a trip to Calapan City when they were struck from behind on a rain-slicked road
• The van driver claimed he was hit by another motorcycle first, but police stated that CCTV footage and evidence do not support his version of events
• Authorities have arrested the 39-year-old driver who is now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple h0micide and damage to property

A devastating tragedy has struck the quiet town of Pola, Oriental Mindoro, after a road accident claimed the lives of an entire family. The victims, all residents of Barangay Pahilahan, were identified as a 35-year-old father, his 34-year-old wife, and their young son, aged 10.

The family was traveling together on a motorcycle, heading toward a transport terminal to catch a ride to Calapan City. However, their journey was cut short when a van, reportedly traveling at high speed, slammed into them from behind. The impact was so severe that all three victims were declared dead on arrival at Grace Mission Hospital.

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According to the 39-year-old van driver, he was on his way to Socorro to pick up his wife when the accident happened. He alleged that another motorcycle had hit the rear of his vehicle, causing him to brake suddenly. He claimed this caused his van to spin out of control and hit the family’s motorcycle.

However, the local police aren't buying the story. PMaj. Florante Sugian II, chief of the Pola Municipal Police Station, clarified that there is no physical evidence to back up the driver’s claim of a "phantom" motorcycle hitting him from behind. Instead, investigators pointed to CCTV footage showing the van speeding on asphalt made slippery by the rain.

The force of the collision was so great that the victims were thrown onto the pavement, while their motorcycle was completely destroyed. The van eventually landed in a roadside ditch after also hitting several parked tricycles and motorcycles. A 59-year-old woman nearby was also injured after being hit by flying debris while she was at a local store.

Oriental Mindoro has seen its fair share of road accidents, especially during the rainy season when the provincial highways become treacherous. This latest incident has sparked fresh calls for motorists to exercise extreme caution and strictly follow speed limits to avoid such senseless loss of life.

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Tragedies involving motorcycles and larger vehicles have become a recurring theme in recent news reports across the country, highlighting the vulnerability of riders.

In another heartbreaking report, a father and son on a motorcycle were hit by a pickup truck that attempted to flee the scene. The incident caused public outrage as the driver showed no remorse for the victims before being apprehended by witnesses. Much like the tragedy in Mindoro, this story emphasized the dangers faced by families who rely on motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation.

A similar fatal encounter occurred in Isabela, where a 23-year-old lady rider lost her life in a head-on collision with a van. The young victim was reportedly on her way home when the van swerved into her lane, leading to a direct impact that proved fatal. Both cases serve as a grim reminder of how quickly life can change due to a single moment of reckless driving or poor road conditions.

Source: KAMI.com.gh