A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy died after he was hit by a truck while crossing the street with his seven-year-old brother on D.M. Cortes St. in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City on February 14, 2023.
The victim was identified only as Yohan, while his brother was Kai (real names withheld), both residents of Barangay Paknaan.
Initial reports stated that the two were crossing near a pedestrian lane in the street's blind spot when the truck maneuvered in their direction and ran over them at 9:55 a.m. of February 14.
Kai was lucky to have survived the incident without incurring any injuries, while his brother Yohan sustained a minor fracture in one of his fingers.
The victim was rushed to a hospital in Mandaue for treatment, but was referred to a hospital in Cebu City on the same day for a CT scan examination.
Yohan's parents, who were both working at the time of the incident, said when they arrived at the hospital, Yohan was still talking and was bubbly.
In an interview on Friday, February 17, Yohan’s mother, May (real name withheld for security), said the medical personnel injected something on him for the kid to fall asleep thrice, but on the third injection, the victim had a seizure and was hallucinating.
She said she instructed her 18-year-old daughter to look over the two children, but the latter said she did not notice the two leaving the house on February 14.
Yohan died at 6:54 p.m. of February 14 due to severe traumatic brain injury, his medical report stated.
Yohan was the youngest of May’s six children.
Miracle baby
Gelo (not his real name), Yohan's father, described the child as very sweet and loving.
He said Yohan was a miracle baby, having survived severe pneumonia when he was two months old and a head concussion from a motorcycle accident with him in 2022.
He said he only sees his son every weekend after he and his wife separated recently. He said he was still in shock from what happened.
"Mao ni syay bata nga mapinanggaon ug paraygon ba. Last Sunday, before going to church, kay nag alagad man kos Ginoo karun, mi kiss ko niya, ana ko bye anak ha kay basig eg balik nako adto naka sa imong mama, di nako kakita nimo'g balik inig Sunday na pud...ana sya ok daddy, bye. Mao toy last namo. Sakit kaayo," Gelo said.
The family has forgiven the truck driver after knowing that he is the breadwinner in the family and feeding five children.
Meanwhile, his truck company shouldered the victim's burial and other expenses.
Police intervention
Following what happened, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) said they would suggest that every barangay should have a designated pedestrian lane, especially in areas near schools, churches, markets, and hospitals.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Lirio C. Coral, chief of MCPO-TEU, told SunStar Cebu they would also strengthen their Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns toward parents, particularly in ensuring the safety of their children.
Coral advised parents to be as present as possible in assisting and guiding their children.
Yohan was supposed to be celebrating his fourth birthday on July 17. (HIC)