A father and son were killed in a vehicular collision along the national highway in Barangay Calungbuyan, Balaoan, La Union, at around 7:35 PM on January 24.
The victims were identified as William Valdez, a 40-year-old delivery boy and tricycle driver, and his 17-year-old son, Wilfred Valdez, a student. Both were residents of Barangay Pantar Sur, Balaoan.
According to initial reports, the father and son were riding a tricycle with no license plate or functional headlights.
The tricycle collided head-on with a gray pickup truck bearing plate number YAB-8164, driven by Neil John Corpuz, a 23-year-old resident of San Diego, Pidigan, Abra.
Corpuz, who holds a valid driver’s license, was uninjured, along with his passengers, Marie Joy Anical, 26, and Marian Pacupac, 24, a nurse. Both passengers sustained minor injuries.
The victims were rushed to Balaoan District Hospital, where they were declared dead on arrival by Dr. Ceasar Ferrer.
Initial investigations by the Balaoan Police Station suggest that the pickup truck attempted to overtake a series of vehicles, leading to the collision with the oncoming tricycle.
The tricycle reportedly lacked headlights, which may have contributed to the accident.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.