ORMOC CITY— A parked subcompact car rolled forward and collided with a sport utility vehicle (SUV) after its driver allegedly failed to engage the hand brake along P. Inocentes Street in Barangay Santo Rosario, Naval in Biliran on Saturday morning, May 9.
Police identified the vehicles involved as a black Mitsubishi Mirage driven by a 69-year-old retired government employee and a Toyota Fortuner SUV driven by a 29-year-old veterinarian from Naga City.
According to the Naval Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at around 10:46 a.m. after the Mitsubishi Mirage, which was parked behind the SUV, suddenly rolled forward and struck the Toyota Fortuner parked in front of it.
Responding police officers said they received a report from a concerned citizen through a cellphone call and immediately proceeded to the area to verify the incident and conduct an investigation.
Initial investigation showed that the driver of the Mitsubishi Mirage had temporarily left his vehicle to buy something from a nearby store. Upon returning, he discovered that the vehicle had moved forward and hit the parked SUV.
The driver later admitted that although he placed the vehicle in parking mode, he forgot to engage the hand brake, causing the car to roll forward.
Police said the Mitsubishi Mirage sustained scratches, dents, and detachment of its right rear bumper, while the Toyota Fortuner incurred scratches and damage to its left front bumper. The estimated repair costs have yet to be determined.
No injuries were reported during the incident. Both parties reportedly agreed to settle the matter amicably, and the vehicles were later released to their respective drivers.
(ROBERT DEJON)
