Motorists were reminded of the dangers of drunk driving after an 84-year-old man was killed on his birthday by a vehicle reportedly driven by an intoxicated minor.
Reports said the senior citizen and his grandson, was on their way home to celebrate his birthday after attending Mass when their vehicle was hit along the national highway in Barangay Malatapay, Zamboanguita, in Negros Oriental.
The incident occurred on the morning of August 8.
The elderly man died after sustaining severe head injuries, while his grandson survived the crash.
Meanwhile, the vehicle that hit the victims was reportedly driven by a 16-year-old male who only had a student driver’s permit.
The minor had three passengers, one of whom was an adult. All four sustained injuries in the crash.
Reports said the vehicle was traveling at high speed from Zamboanguita proper toward Dumaguete City when the minor reportedly lost control while overtaking a motorcycle.
He then swerved into the opposite lane, where he collided with the victim’s vehicle.
The minor admitted that he had been drinking alcohol before driving. He was placed under hospital arrest and turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Meanwhile, CCTV footage of the incident was posted on a Reddit community, prompting Filipinos to remind motorists against driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Reddit post has garnered 3,400 upvotes and over 280 comments.
Drunk 16 year old and friends speeding on highway crash head on into car, killing 84 year old lolo on his way to celebrate his birthday
by
u/Sorry-Professor-7380 in
Philippines
“Drunk driving is terrible. Please, if you insist on drinking, take a cab, get a designated driver, or have someone else drive you home,” a Reddit user said in a post.
“It’s really not worth risking your own life, or worse, taking an innocent person’s life because you chose to drive drunk,” the Reddit user added.
Others echoed the video uploader’s sentiments.
“Nakakagalit talaga. Isang reckless decision lang, may inosenteng tao na hindi na nakauwi, and he was literally on his way to celebrate his birthday. Sana wake-up call ’to sa mga tao na nagda-drive after drinking. One stupid decision can change multiple lives forever,” a Redditor wrote.
“Sana talaga kapag drunk driving, regardless of age, non-bailable at no less than 25 years ang kulong,” another commented.
“Bakit laging nagsu-survive mga drunk drivers? Nakakalungkot,” a different Pinoy said.
“‘Di ko pa rin gets bakit nagda-drive pa rin ng lasing. It’s like, why keep on eating when you’re so full that you’re already puking? Kung lasing ka and alam mo naman na ganun, ‘wag ka na mag-drive, jusme,” another wrote.
Drunk driving is explicitly prohibited under Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances,” the law states.
Its penalties range from P20,000 to P200,000, along with the suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.
