Woman killed after being run over by trailer truck in Manila

A 26-year-old woman, Neri Joy, was killed after being run over by a trailer truck on Monday evening.

In a “24 Oras” report by Jhomer Apresto on Friday, Neri Joy was identified as the victim in the viral Facebook post that captured a hit-and-run incident at Mel Lopez Boulevard in Tondo, Manila.

According to the victim’s relatives, they decided to post about the incident because they could not secure any CCTV footage from the scene of the accident.

“Lahat ng footage, naghanap kami pero wala talaga, hanggang sa kinailangan na namin i-post para makakuha kami ng mga impormasyon," a relative of Neri Joy said.

(We looked for any available footage but found nothing until we felt we had no choice but to post it online just to gather information.)

"Napakabait po ng tao na yan sobra… Kamamatay lang ng mama niya last year, sumunod kuya niya, kaya siya na lang talaga. Siya na lang inaasahan tapos ganito?" she added.

(She was such a deeply kind person… Her mother passed away just last year, followed by her older brother, so she was really the only one left. She was the one everyone was relying on, and then this happens?)

Based on the authorities’ investigation, Neri Joy was on her way home riding a motorcycle when a trailer truck sideswiped her along Delpan Flyover.

The victim reportedly crashed and was run over by the rear tires of the truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Buhay nawala, hindi naman namin hinahabol ‘yung pera eh, hustisya kailangan namin,” a relative of Neri Joy said.

(A life was lost; we aren't after the money, we need justice.)

After two days, the police located the truck driver with the help of a motorcycle rider.

The suspect was presented before Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and to the family of Neri Joy.

"Hindi ko po, mayor, napansin na nakasagasa po ako talaga… Hindi ko po talaga napansin kaya tuloy-tuloy po ako,” the suspect said.

(I didn't realize that I had run over someone… I really didn't notice, which is why I just kept driving.)

The police said the suspect cannot be arrested because the 18-hour reglementary period had already passed. A warrant of arrest is needed to arrest the suspect.

“Umaksyon sila noong nag-trending na eh, kaya talagang lalagpas talaga… Humihingi po kami ng tulong, mabigyan kami ng abogado, pababasa namin kung tama ba ‘yung binigay nila sa amin, Hindi kami satisfied na hanggang dun lang,” a relative of the victim said.

(They only acted when it went viral, which is why that would really be the case… We are asking for help to get a lawyer so they can review the documents given to us, because we aren't satisfied with how far this has gone.)

Police maintained that they took immediate action upon learning about the incident, noting that they were only able to identify the involved truck after speaking with the rider who came forward to give additional information.

The police also discovered that the suspect had previously been involved in a similar incident.

“Allegedly ‘yung driver ay nagkaroon na rin siya ng unang kaso na nakaaksidente siya, ganun din, namatay din," Manila Police District Vehicle Traffic Investigation Section Chief P/Capt. Joel Aquino said.

(Allegedly, this driver was previously involved in another accident that also resulted in a fatality.)

“Nakita rin namin sa CCTV na nagmamadali itong truck na ito. Nilagpasan niya ‘yung mga stoplight eh so siguro, aware na rin siya sa nangyari,” Aquino added.

(We also saw on CCTV that this truck was in a rush. He was beating the stoplights, so he was probably already aware of what happened.)

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property have already been filed against the suspect.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has yet to confirm if the suspect’s license will be suspended.

GMA News is still trying to obtain a statement from the truck driver and the management of the trucking company as of publishing.—Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News