STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — A tragic chain reaction on Sunday morning claimed the life of a 55-year-old tricycle driver following a devastating multi-vehicle accident in Barangay Maningding.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday, June 14, 2026. According to the Sta. Barbara Municipal Police Station, the victim was driving his tricycle along the roadside when he unexpectedly collided with a parked motorcycle.

The force of the initial impact caused the tricycle to tilt violently into the main lane. At that exact moment, a large cargo truck arriving from behind was unable to swerve in time. The defenseless driver was thrown into the path of the oncoming vehicle and run over.

Horrified onlookers immediately alerted local emergency responders. The victim was pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a nearby hospital under critical conditions. Tragically, medical staff declared him dead on arrival due to severe trauma.

Sta. Barbara Police Chief, Police Lieutenant Colonel Michael Datuin, confirmed that both the truck driver and the owner of the parked motorcycle have been taken into police custody while the investigation continues. Neither has released an official statement.

"They are currently in our custody as our investigation remains ongoing," PLTCOL Datuin stated. "We are thoroughly examining the scene and assessing potential liabilities to determine who may be at fault regarding this tragic accident, after which the appropriate legal charges will be filed."

The sudden, freak nature of the crash has deeply saddened the local community, highlighting ongoing safety concerns regarding vehicles parked on the shoulders of unlit national highways. As of press time, the victim's family is still coming to terms with the loss and has not yet released a public statement.