A 14-year-old skateboarder lost his life after being hit by a modern public utility jeepney along Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City early Thursday morning, April 30.
According to reports, the incident happened around 2:30 a.m., a time when the roads were already quiet but still active enough for vehicles passing through major routes in the city.
The teenager was later rushed to Cebu City Medical Center after the collision, arriving around 3:00 a.m. According to his mother, he was still alive at that point and was given medical attention immediately. Despite efforts from medical staff, his condition worsened, and he passed away later in the afternoon.
Based on the initial findings of the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Cebu City Police Office, the jeepney was being driven by a 28-year-old man heading toward IT Park when the incident occurred.
The driver reportedly admitted during questioning that he had briefly fallen asleep while behind the wheel.
In that short lapse, he failed to notice the teenager who was near the roadside, resulting in the vehicle hitting him with its front right side.
The impact caused severe injuries that ultimately led to the teenager’s death.
Police authorities have taken the driver into custody, and he is now facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Investigators have also conducted alcohol and drug testing as part of standard procedure while gathering evidence for the case.
Authorities from the Cebu City Police Office have coordinated with the Land Transportation Office regarding the driver’s license.
Recommendations for suspension or cancellation are being processed while the case continues to move forward. Documents related to the filing of charges are also being prepared.
According to the victim’s mother, Cathyrine Sala Regis, her son was simply on his way home when the accident happened.
She shared that he was with friends at the time and that he ended up being the one involved in the incident while the others were unharmed.
She also recounted distressing details from what she learned after the crash.
The vehicle allegedly did not stop right away, which led the victim’s companions to chase after it and eventually block it using a taxi so the situation could be addressed.
Despite the severity of the accident, she said her son was still conscious afterward and showed signs of fighting to stay alive.
She described how he would still respond and reach out to her, which made the moment even more painful for the family.
The mother expressed her strong intention to pursue legal action against the driver. She said she wants accountability for what happened and believes the case should move forward through the proper legal process.
She also spoke about her son’s passion for skateboarding, describing him as someone who spent a lot of time practicing and working on his skills.
He had hopes of joining competitions and wanted to show others what he could do on a skateboard. According to her, he would skate almost every day and was serious about improving.
As of May 1, the driver remains under police custody while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case is expected to be submitted to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office once all necessary documents and evidence are completed.