19-yr.-old driver faces charges after accidentally killing pedestrian in Baguio

Baguio City, Philippines – The 19-year-old driver involved in a vehicular accident that killed a pedestrian along Loakan Access Road last week is now facing a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, authorities confirmed.

The incident occurred at around 1:18 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, along Loakan Access Road in Barangay Loakan Proper, Baguio City.

According to the initial investigation by the Baguio City Police Office, the driver—a student and resident of Bakakeng Norte—was heading toward Purok Ongasan from Barangay Kias aboard a Honda Brio.

While traversing the road, he reportedly accelerated to overtake the vehicle in front of him but instead struck a 45-year-old woman who was crossing at the time.

The victim, identified as Mercedes “Mercy” Enesa Comising, a local resident and native of Mankayan, was thrown approximately 65 meters due to the strong impact, causing her head to hit the pavement. She sustained an open skull fracture and was declared dead at 1:55 p.m.

Police said the incident was initially referred to the prosecutor for possible inquest proceedings. However, the lawyer representing the victim’s family later requested regular filing, or preliminary investigation, to allow for a more detailed probe and stronger case build-up. The driver was released at around 11:30 p.m. that same day.

The victim’s family and relatives, together with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Loakan Proper, are calling for justice to be “served accordingly.”