Benguet Driver finding pig for wake of deceased relative accidentally hits 7-yr.-old girl in Ilocos Sur

Benguet, Philippines – A driver from Benguet who was looking for a pig for a deceased relative accidentally hit a seven-year-old girl who suddenly crossed the road in Barangay Uso, Suyo, Ilocos Sur, on Friday afternoon, January 16.

According to the Suyo Municipal Police Station, the victim and her mother had just alighted from a tricycle, which temporarily parked at the side of the road across from their house.

The mother was offloading their belongings and paying the fare when she failed to notice the child suddenly dashing into the road.

The girl was accidentally struck by an oncoming pickup truck driven by a 38-year-old man from Itogon, Benguet, who immediately stopped the vehicle to render assistance, while the mother rushed to her child. Police said the driver was not speeding at the time. He and his companions were reportedly searching for a hog for the wake of their relative.

The victim was rushed to the Ilocos Sur District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival due to multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, the driver was initially taken into police custody but was later released after the girl’s family decided not to press charges.

The driver is reportedly suffering emotional distress but has expressed willingness to provide assistance to the child’s family.

This is the first recorded incident of this kind in the area so far, according to local police.