ORMOC CITY — A three-year-old child was killed while several members of different families were injured after a vehicle rammed into pedestrians in Barangay Imelda, Tolosa on the evening of April 24, 2026.
The fatality, identified as MLD, 3, of Barangay Cabuynan, Tanauan, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. Among those injured were “Mel,” 28, and MJC, 7, who are also from the same barangay and belong to the child’s family. Their father later reported to authorities that he also sustained minor injuries.
Other victims included “Hel,” 40, of Barangay Malbog, Tolosa; “Ger,” 32; AGT, 1; JTD, 10; SMD, 9; and KTD, 5 — all residents of Barangay Capangihan, Tolosa. Another individual later reported to police that they had also been injured in the incident. Most of the victims were from family groups.
Police identified the vehicle involved as a silver/green Mitsubishi Adventure driven by “Tony,” 55, a resident of Barangay Balao, Burauen.
Initial investigation by the Tolosa Municipal Police Station said the incident occurred at around 7:55 p.m. along Imelda Lane, near the town plaza, where officers were conducting foot patrol and visibility operations. Responding officers found several victims lying on the ground, while the vehicle had crashed into the stairs of the Tolosa Town Plaza.
Authorities said the vehicle was heading toward the national highway when the driver reportedly lost control, swerved toward an ukay-ukay stall, and struck the pedestrians.
The injured were rushed to the Governor Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital and Schistosomiasis Center and the Leyte Provincial Hospital with the assistance of the Tolosa Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office rescue team.
The driver and the vehicle are now in police custody as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
