Dump truck driver involved in widower’s death

By Manuel T. Ugalde

He could still be alive and living an ordinary life as a widower had it not been for the negligence of a government dump truck driver, remarked a police officer in Legazpi City.

This tragic incident unfolded on the afternoon of November 22, when a dump truck from the Sorsogon 2nd District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) drove through a restricted shortcut route where heavy equipment is prohibited. The truck hit a steel plate covering a damaged section of the road, causing the plate to violently strike a passing tricycle, killing a passenger.

The shortcut route, a 200-meter stretch linking Lakandula Drive in Barangay Gogon to the old Legazpi airport road, has clear signage prohibiting entry of heavy vehicles. Despite this, the driver, identified as Noel Mallorca, proceeded, resulting in the freak accident. The victim was identified as Faustino Armario Bucay of Barangay Bogtong, Legazpi City.

According to retired Police Major Art Gomez, now with the DPWH Albay 2nd District Engineering Office, Mallorca has reached a partial agreement with the victim’s family to shoulder the expenses, reportedly with the backing of his office.

Reports revealed that the dump truck, loaded with gravel purchased from a Mayon Quarry operation in Albay, had been in Legazpi despite a closer quarry operation in Sorsogon. While traversing the restricted shortcut, the truck stepped on the steel plate, which, due to its size and thickness (similar to a plywood sheet but one inch thicker), was dislodged and struck the passing tricycle. The passenger was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

DPWH typically uses steel plates to temporarily cover road potholes to ensure safe vehicle passage while awaiting repairs. Police noted that the truck’s weight likely caused the plate to tilt and splash violently.

The police in custody of the truck emphasized that the accident could have been avoided had the driver observed the visible “No Entry” signage for heavy vehicles.