SUV driven by 13-year-old crashes into van, 23 hurt
Twenty-three individuals sustained injuries after a sports utility vehicle driven by a 13-year-old girl collided with a van on Sunday, June 22.
According to the San Juan, La Union police, the girl, who reportedly had a companion, ran away from home with the SUV.
She was driving the vehicle when it overshot a curve in the road and collided with an oncoming van, injuring all 21 passengers.
The teen and her female companion also sustained injuries.
Authorities said all victims are in stable condition, but both vehicles were damaged significantly.
Authorities are still investigating the incident, especially how the girl, who is now under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, managed to drive the SUV.
Albert Sadili, spokesperson of Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection, told ABS-CBN News that parents should provide greater supervision over their children.
"Kapag ang isang minor ay nakagawa ng isang krimen or offense, ang may pananagutan talaga diyan... 'yung parents or guardians kasi sila ang responsible sa kanila," Sadili said.
According to Article 2180 of the Civil Code, "parents are and should be held primarily liable for the civil liability arising from criminal offenses committed by their minor children under their legal authority or control, or who live in their company." Parents can be exempted from liability if they can prove they took all reasonable measures to prevent the incident.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila Development Authority data also showed that there are a total of 23,260 road crash incidents from January to May. Of this number, 16,953 cases damaged properties, 112 cases led to deaths, and 6,195 cases led to injuries.
The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, reported that in 2024, about 87%, or nearly 9 out of 10, road incidents were due to reckless driving.
Sadili noted that the country has enough traffic laws, but enforcement has always been the problem.
