BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
A 75-year-old man died after he was hit by a pick-up truck inside a mall parking lot in Baguio City on Wednesday afternoon, May 22.
The driver of the pick-up, a 34-year-old man, immediately surrendered to authorities following the incident, which occurred around 1:35 PM.
According to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the driver was attempting to park his vehicle when the accident happened.
“He was about to park and was adjusting the vehicle’s position when he suddenly hit the victim. He said he was shocked when he realized he had run over someone,” said Police Major Marcy Grace Marron, spokesperson of the BCPO.
The suspect reportedly tried to help the elderly man and, with the assistance of mall personnel, brought the victim to the hospital. However, the victim was later declared dead.
“He started vomiting blood and had a nosebleed,” Marron said. “We are still waiting for the results of the medico-legal examination.”
Marron added that the elderly man was walking in the area while the pick-up driver was maneuvering the vehicle.
“The old man was just walking when the driver suddenly hit him. He was still trying to park and didn’t expect someone to be in front,” she said.
The News Team attempted to get a statement from the suspect, but he declined to face the camera.
However, the suspect’s wife shared that the victim allegedly appeared out of nowhere while they were turning inside the parking area.
She added that their vehicle was not speeding and the victim was not dragged by the pick-up.
She also said they never intended for the incident to happen and offered their sincere apologies to the victim’s family.
The suspect is now under the custody of BCPO Station 7 and is facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
The mall management has not yet issued a statement, as the police continue their investigation.
