An 11-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in Sta. Maria, Bulacan, on the evening of December 28. The driver fled the scene without stopping to help.
In an emotional statement, the victim’s older brother, Jake Arquiola, recounted the harrowing moments:
“I saw my brother already in a very weak state. I didn’t wait for an ambulance; I immediately rushed him to the hospital.”
Despite efforts to save him, the young boy succumbed to his injuries two days later. His family remains heartbroken, especially as the tragedy occurred during the New Year season.
“It’s very hard to accept what happened, especially during the New Year. I don’t know if we can even celebrate knowing we lost a sibling,” Arquiola said.
Search for the Suspect
The driver responsible for the accident remains at large. However, the family has obtained critical evidence, including a glass shard with an RFID sticker from the vehicle and CCTV footage of the car speeding toward Sta. Maria.
The Sta. Maria Police Station is coordinating with the North Luzon Expressway management to retrieve additional CCTV footage. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have yet to release a statement.
Arquiola made a heartfelt plea to the suspect:
“To the person who hit my brother, please surrender and cooperate with us. Even though it was an accident, you should not have run away.”