Overtaking gone wrong: Worker hit in Cauayan after tricycle allegedly ignores pedestrian right-of-way

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela — A construction worker was injured after he was allegedly hit by a tricycle that overtook a pickup truck which had stopped to give way to pedestrians crossing the national highway in Barangay Minante 1 shortly after noon on Tuesday, August 4.

Based on information gathered by Bombo Radyo Cauayan from witnesses, a group of construction workers was crossing the highway when an approaching pickup truck stopped to allow them to pass.

However, the tricycle driver allegedly overtook the stationary pickup truck and struck one of the workers who was still crossing the road.

The tricycle driver told authorities that he noticed the pedestrians but assumed they had already finished crossing after seeing the pickup stop. He said he only realized at the last moment that one worker was still on the roadway, leaving him unable to avoid the collision.

The injured worker was given first aid by rescuers before being taken to a hospital for further treatment. Authorities have yet to release the victim's identity and condition.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether traffic laws were violated.

The incident mirrors other pedestrian-related road crashes reported in the country. In November 2024, a woman was injured after she was struck by a sport utility vehicle (SUV) while crossing a marked pedestrian lane in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, despite the pedestrian signal being in her favor. In September 2024, a 76-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing a road in Cebu City, sustaining head injuries before later recovering.

Authorities reminded motorists to slow down when approaching pedestrian crossings and to avoid overtaking vehicles that have stopped to give way to pedestrians, warning that such actions can endanger lives and lead to serious accidents.