Elderly dies after truck pins her against another vehicle

CEBU, Philippines — A 72-year-old woman died after a truck suddenly moved forward and pinned her against another parked vehicle along Plaridel Street in Carbon, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6.

The victim was identified by police as Emma Erbito, a resident of Toledo City. She sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center, where she was declared dead on arrival.

Police arrested the 25-year-old truck helper, identified only by the alias “John,” from Malabuyoc, Cebu. He is facing a charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

According to the initial investigation by the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the Isuzu Forward truck had been parked with its engine still running while workers were unloading vegetables.

Investigators said alias John entered the truck through the driver's side and accidentally hit the gear shift while moving toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to lurch forward.

The truck then hit Erbito and pinned her against another parked vehicle, causing fatal injuries.

Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jomar Medil said the incident could have been prevented had the truck's hand brake been properly engaged before the vehicle was left unattended.

Medil said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 7 has been requested to issue a show cause order against the truck's registered owner and suspend the vehicle's registration pending the outcome of the investigation. (CEBU NEWS)