A 28-year-old man from Pangasinan died in a road crash involving a tricycle and a car on the national highway in Santiago, Ilocos Sur, police said.

The victim, identified as Danilo Ocomen, a resident of Barangay Salay in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, was on his way to Abra to sell goods when the accident happened in Barangay Olo-olo Norte.

Police said the tricycle carrying Ocomen was traveling northbound when it collided with a southbound car. Initial investigation showed the tricycle veered into the car’s lane.

“Base doon sa sinabi ng kolong-kolong driver ay nag-lock daw itong manibela kaya umagaw siya sa linya ng kotse,” Police Captain Justine Jeff Aguigam, chief of the Santiago Police Station, said.

Ocomen suffered severe head and body injuries and remained in critical condition for several days. He died after two days in the hospital. Three other passengers were injured and were brought to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the car was hurt as well, police said.

Relatives of the victim said they accept that what happened was an accident. Ocomen’s mother, Virgie Ocomen, described her son as a loving family member.

“Masaya siya lalo na sa mga kapatid niya na mahal na mahal niya. Lalo na sa magulang, lalo na sa akin. Sabi niya pa sa akin, ‘Mahal na mahal ko kayo,’” she said.

Jerome Yulo, one of Ocomen’s companions, recalled the moment of the crash.

“Noong narinig ko nang kumalabog, ‘yun na. Pinulot namin yung mga kasama namin. Nakita namin duguan na sila tapos sumisigaw na yung isa,” Yulo said.

Police said the tricycle driver did not have a valid driver’s license.

Authorities added that both parties have already talked about the incident.

The driver of the car declined to give a statement but has provided financial assistance to the families of those involved.