A 72-year-old woman was injured after she was struck by a Toyota Vios that was pushed forward by a Nissan Navara during a traffic collision along Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Cebu City on Thursday morning, October 1.
The incident happened at around 8:24 a.m. near the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Barangay Basak Pardo. The victim, identified only by the alias Irene, is originally from Samboan, Cebu and currently lives in Basak Pardo. She was immediately taken to the Cebu City Medical Center for treatment.
According to the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit, two vehicles were involved in the incident: a Toyota Vios driven by a 43-year-old woman identified as Joy of Kinasang-an, Pardo, and a Nissan Navara driven by a 49-year-old man identified as Engil of Banawa.
Dashcam footage from the Vios showed the vehicle traveling ahead of the Navara as the elderly woman began crossing the road.
The Vios driver saw the pedestrian and slowed down to allow her to cross. However, the Navara, which was following behind, suddenly moved into the other lane.
As the Navara maneuvered past the Vios, it struck the rear portion of the sedan. The impact caused the Vios to move forward just as the woman was crossing, resulting in the vehicle hitting and running over her.
The woman was thrown onto the road following the collision. People at the scene immediately assisted her before she was transported to the hospital for medical attention.
Traffic Enforcement Unit chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jomar Medil said their initial investigation pointed to the Navara driver as responsible for the collision because he failed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him.
Despite the incident, the two drivers agreed not to file complaints against each other over the damage caused by the collision.
The Navara driver also agreed to shoulder the repair costs for the Toyota Vios. Both parties likewise agreed to help cover the medical expenses of the injured pedestrian.
However, police still took administrative and legal action based on the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Traffic Enforcement Unit issued a Temporary Operator’s Permit to the Vios driver after she failed to present the vehicle’s official receipt.
The Navara driver, meanwhile, is set to face a reckless driving complaint in connection with the incident.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit also recommended to the Land Transportation Office Region 7 that the Navara driver’s license be revoked.
The collision highlights the risks faced by pedestrians crossing busy roads, particularly along major Cebu City thoroughfares where traffic volume can be heavy. It also underscores the importance of maintaining sufficient distance between vehicles and exercising caution when approaching pedestrian crossings or areas where people are likely to cross.
Authorities continue to assess the incident based on the available dashcam footage and statements gathered during the investigation. The injured woman’s condition was not detailed in the initial report beyond confirmation that she was brought to the hospital for treatment.
