Pregnant teen mom killed in Iloilo trike-SUV collision

Tricycles ply the streets of Malabon City. The three-wheeled vehicles are widely used in the Philippines and have been involved in deadly mishaps. In Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, a pregnant teen mother and a trike driver were killed when the tricycle collided with an SUV. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — An 18 year-old pregnant mother and a tricycle driver were killed past 1 p.m. on Tuesday when the tricycle they were riding collided with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in Barangay Alegre, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.

Killed were May Valentine who was six months pregnant with her second child and driver Ben Bandahandum.

Hurt were Valentine’s one-year-old son, Juana Tupas, and Alvy Talapiña, who were passengers of the tricycle.

Ralph June Estorias, driver of the Chevrolet SUV, was unhurt but detained pending the filing of multiple homicide and serious physical injuries.

Inspector Benecio Rendon, Barotac Viejo police chief, said the SUV was trying to overtake a motorcycle when it hit the tricycle coming from the opposite direction.

The impact caused the motorcycle to separate from the sidecar while the SUV turned turtle toward the rice paddies.

Valentine, who was sitting behind the driver, died of multiple head injuries.