Tragic trip ends in death: Two from Tabuk killed in Isabela crash

Roxas, Isabela – A trip to Isabela turned tragic after two residents of Tabuk City, Kalinga, were killed and three others were injured when the pickup truck they were riding crashed into a roadside barricade before plunging into a rice field in Roxas, Isabela, on Tuesday, July 21.

According to the initial police report, as cited by local media outlets, five people were aboard an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck when the accident occurred.

The occupants included three men, one woman, and a seven-year-old child.

Police said the group was traveling toward Gamu, Isabela, when the pickup truck reportedly began to swerve while traversing the road in Barangay Lucban, Roxas, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The pickup slammed into a steel roadside barricade, struck several trees, and eventually plunged into a nearby rice field.

Photos and videos circulating online showed the vehicle heavily damaged in the rice field, while visible impact marks on the steel barricade and nearby trees indicated the force of the crash.

All five occupants were rushed to a hospital by responding authorities. However, a man and a woman succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

The three other occupants, including the child, are reportedly recovering in the hospital.

Police have withheld the identities of the victims pending notification of their families and the ongoing investigation.

As of this writing, authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the accident.

Guru Press Cordillera reached out to the Roxas Municipal Police Station for additional information. However, the investigator handling the case was unavailable for interview at the time of the call.

This report will be updated as soon as additional information becomes available from the investigating authorities.

Road crashes remain a concern in Isabela

The latest tragedy adds to a series of fatal road accidents reported in Isabela this year.

In May, five people were killed in a multiple-vehicle collision in Alicia, Isabela after a trailer truck and a multi-purpose vehicle collided.

In January, three people died and several others were injured in a collision involving a truck and a passenger jeepney in Luna, prompting an investigation by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The Provincial Government of Isabela has also intensified its road safety campaign after officials reported an increase in vehicular accidents during the early part of 2026. According to the Provincial Public Safety Office, more than 200 road accidents were recorded during the first quarter of the year, averaging about 15 accidents per week, prompting the province to organize a Road Safety Summit and Unity Ride to promote responsible driving and road safety awareness.