IT’S very unfortunate that the driver of the compact sports utility vehicle (SUV) that collided with a tricycle which resulted to the deaths of three family members and injured four others in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City early Thursday was released from police custody after the 18-hour reglementary period had lapsed.
It is heartbreaking as these victims are still reeling from the loss of family members.
The husband of one of the killed victims just passed away at the hospital.
They were on their way home to Murcia after attending their dead.
On board a tricycle, the family was hit by the speeding Ford EcoSport driven by a cousin of a town mayor in the province.
The driver was released after no charges were filed following the lapse of the reglementary period.
The police stressed that charges for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, physical injuries, and damage to property will still be filed against the suspect.
The police further said they hastened the filing of the case against the suspect, but came up short because they have limited time to prepare and the death certificates will be issued the next day.
With this, the lawmakers need to revisit the laws on reckless imprudence cases.
We need stiffer penalties for reckless drivers, who always disregard traffic regulations and have no road courtesy, to make them accountable.
We just hope that justice will be served to the victims and their families.