A 54-year-old grandfather died protecting his two-year-old granddaughter during a tragic accident along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Marilao, Bulacan, on June 18.
According to Marilao police chief Lt. Col. Eulogio Lamqui III, the elderly man embraced the child as their vehicle was crushed by a fallen girder dislodged when a trailer truck slammed into the underside of the Marilao Interchange Bridge. “Niyakap po niya ‘yung bata… kaya naligtas at hindi siya gaanong nasugatan,” Lamqui told ABS-CBN News.
The family of seven, residents of Parañaque, were en route to Baguio to visit relatives when the fatal mishap occurred. Four of the six survivors remain confined in the hospital.
The 31-year-old truck driver is now in police custody and facing multiple charges, including reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. In an interview, he said: “Pasensiya na ho, hindi ko naman ginusto ‘yun. Pagbayaran na lang kung may kasalanan ‘yun.”
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon pointed to NLEX Corporation’s accountability, citing a similar incident in March involving the same bridge. Speaking to Super Radyo dzBB, Dizon said, “Ako ay mag-oorder… sa Toll Regulatory Board… na sabihan ang NLEX na liable sila.”
Dizon added that he would push for toll exemptions in the affected section, stressing the disruption caused to motorists. “Kapag ‘yan ay na-disrupt na naman ang mga kababayan natin sa biyahe, kasalanan nila ‘yan, ipapalibre ko ulit ang toll diyan,” he said.
Initial investigations revealed the truck took the Meycauayan exit before hitting the bridge structure. Authorities continue to probe how the over-height vehicle managed to access a restricted zone.
