BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
A van driver was injured after crashing into an oncoming truck along Naguilian Road in Baguio City on May 3.
The driver reportedly dozed off while behind the wheel, causing the accident.
At around 8:12 AM, the white van was seen on dashcam footage trailing an SUV on Naguilian Road, Barangay San Luis Village.
Moments later, the van suddenly swerved into the opposite lane and collided with an inbound truck.
Authorities quickly responded and found the van driver, a 33-year-old man, pinned inside the vehicle.
“He fell asleep, which caused him to swerve into the opposite lane,” said PMaj. Marcy Grace Marron, spokesperson of the Baguio City Police Office. “The truck was heading toward the central business district when the collision happened.”
The van was headed toward Barangay Irisan at the time of the crash.
The driver sustained injuries to his leg, while the 55-year-old truck driver was unharmed. Both drivers have already reached an agreement.
“They’ve already gone to BCPO Station 1 and decided on a compromise agreement,” PMaj. Marron added. “No case will be filed.”
According to data from the Baguio City Police Office, 374 vehicular accidents have been recorded from January to April this year.
Of these, six resulted in deaths, 59 in injuries, and 309 involved property damage.
“As far as our records go, accidents are mostly caused by human error,” said PCol. Ruel Tagel, Baguio City Police Director. “There are also cases of mechanical defects and poor road conditions, but human error remains the top cause.”
The BCPO continues to conduct checkpoints and reminds motorists to drive safely.
