Grade 9 student sideswiped, ran over by truck

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A 15-year-old Grade 9 student died after he was reportedly sideswiped and ran over by a truck at Barangay Odiong, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental last August 31.

Police withheld the name of the minor-victim, who was a resident of the said village.

Police Captain Hancel Lumandaz, town police chief, said the victim was walking along with his four friends on their way home when he was allegedly hit by a truck driven by Marchel Salboda, 20, of the said village.

Lumandaz said Salboda was reportedly practicing his driving skills on the highway with his grandfather when the accident happened.

But instead of stepping on the brakes, Salboda stepped on the accelerator and sideswiped the victim, he added.

The victim was dragged a few meters away and was found under the vehicle, the town police chief said.

The truck driver and his grandfather were unharmed but the victim was declared dead at a hospital due to severe injuries.

Lumandaz said Salboda, who has no driver’s license, is detained at Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station.

Lumandaz said Salboda will be released Monday morning, if the victim’s family fails to file charges against him within the 18-hour reglementary period.