What was supposed to be a joyful celebration turned into sorrow for the family of an 84-year-old man and his grandson in Negros Oriental whose car was rammed by a vehicle driven by a minor.

The incident happened on the national highway in Barangay Malatapay in the southern town of Zamboanguita morning on August 8, 2026.

The old man died from severe injuries to the head while his grandson, a policeman, who was with him in the vehicle, survived.

The policeman is assigned to the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company in Bayawan City.

The 16-year-old boy who drove the other vehicle was placed on hospital arrest and under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Authorities found that he only had a student permit but had three passengers in his vehicle. Only one was an adult.

His three companions also sustained injuries.

Based on investigation, the old man and his grandson had just attended Mass and were on their way home to celebrate his birthday when the minor’s vehicle rammed into their car.

The incident was caught on camera.

CCTV footage showed the minor’s vehicle traveling at high speed from Zamboanguita proper toward Dumaguete City.

The minor reportedly lost control of the vehicle while overtaking a motorcycle and swerved into the opposite lane where the victims’ vehicle was traveling.

In an interview with authorities, the minor reportedly admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol at that time.

“Nakainom ni sila unya, didto, na-istorya na namo, naka-inom gyud daw to sila. Asta tong doctor, niingon pud nga nakainom gyud daw,” said P/SSgt. Raffy Rayco, traffic investigator at the Zamboanguita Municipal Police Station.