Man dies protecting niece as beam collapses, hitting their vehicle

Baguio City, Philippines – A family from Parañaque bound for vacation in Baguio is now mourning and demanding accountability after a massive beam collapsed onto their vehicle along the northbound lane of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Marilao, Bulacan.

The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 18, killed 54-year-old Pastor Chua, who shielded his 2-year-old niece, Jia, saving her life.

Initial investigation by the Marilao police stated that a trailer truck, which had passed the Meycauayan exit, was heading back to Malabon when it hit the interchange bridge in Marilao. As a result, the bridge’s beam fell and hit the victim’s car.

The truck driver, who is now facing multiple charges, said he used to pass there almost every day, so he had no idea that the truck would hit the bridge.

Six were reportedly injured, including the Pastor’s wife, Jani, who blames the infrastructure neglect.

“Sa NLEX [management], sana maisip nila yung negligence sa pangyayaring ito. Kasi kung naging maayos ‘yung beam structure na nakalagay sa taas ‘yung mga steel wire na maayos, hindi siya lilipad. At bakit nakapasok yung driver?” Jani said when interviewed by ABS-CBN.

As recalled by Dianne Jaque, sister-in-law of the Pastor and the mother of Jia, the steel that crashed their vehicle seemed to be bigger than their car.

“Kuya Bong, nagpapasalamat pa rin ako na ikaw may dala kay Jia nung mga panahon na 'yon kasi hindi rin ako sigurado kung ako ang may kalong sa kanya, kung kaya ko ba 'yung ginawa mo. O kung kaya ng kahit sino,” she said in the same interview.

The grieving family in Parañaque is urging authorities to bring justice for the life lost on what should have been the start of their vacation.

According to the Marilao officials, the bridge in under provincial jurisdiction, and is not managed by NLEX Corporation.

The local government has requested Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) take over the bridge and rehabilitate it, citing multiple incidents involving trucks.

Meanwhile, NLEX Corporation temporarily waived toll fees from Balintawak to Meycauayan (northbound) while repair works continue. The corporation is also coordinating with concerned authorities in the ongoing investigation.