A 72-YEAR-OLD woman was killed after a parked truck rolled forward when its helper accidentally hit the gear shift in Carbon, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, on Thursday afternoon, August 6, 2026.
The victim was identified as Emma Erbito, 72, a resident of Canlimampao, Toledo City.
Police identified the truck helper as Van Lee Amandoron, 25, a resident of Sitio Tunga, Barangay Montañeza, Malabuyoc, Cebu.
According to the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the truck was parked along Plaridel Street with its engine still running while its cargo of vegetables from the province was being unloaded.
Investigators said Amandoron boarded the truck through the driver’s side door. As he moved toward the passenger seat, he accidentally hit the gear shift, causing the vehicle to move forward.
At that moment, Erbito was walking in front of the truck. She was struck by the vehicle and sustained severe injuries to her body and head.
The victim was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival.
Amandoron is now under the custody of the TEU and is facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jomar Medil, chief of the TEU-CCPO, said the incident could have been prevented had the truck’s handbrake been properly engaged.
Medil said aside from the criminal complaint against the truck helper, the TEU has also requested the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Central Visayas to issue a show cause order against the registered owner of the truck.
He added that in cases where a person’s death results from such incidents, the vehicle’s registration should also be suspended. (AYB)
