MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Philippines — A motorcycle rider died instantly after being run over by a 10-wheeler truck that reportedly lost its brakes along the national highway in Barangay Katipunan, Villanueva, authorities said. The fatal crash, which occurred on January 13, 2026, was followed hours later by a second tragedy in a nearby town, where a 42-year-old Good Samaritan was killed while trying to help other accident victims.
The twin incidents, unfolding within the same day and along the same vital highway connecting Northern Mindanao’s towns, have heightened concerns over heavy truck safety and the hidden dangers facing motorists who stop to assist at crash scenes.
A Rider Crushed After Truck Loses Brakes
According to the Villanueva Municipal Police Station, the first fatality occurred when a speeding 10-wheeler truck suffered brake failure while travelling along the national highway. The truck ploughed into a motorcycle, running over both the vehicle and its rider.
The rider was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the truck continued to veer off course before finally coming to a stop near the fence of a large private company in the area.
“So mura’g nawad-an ni siya og brake, naghaguros padulong adto sa koral sa dako pud nga company dinhi sa Villanueva dadto siya nabanda,” said Major Princess Bergado, chief of the Villanueva Municipal Police Station. She explained that investigators believe the loss of braking control caused the driver to swerve off the road.
No other motorists were reported seriously injured in the Villanueva crash.
A Good Samaritan Killed While Helping the Injured
Later that same day, tragedy struck again along the national highway in Barangay Mandangoa, Balingasag.
Police said the second incident began with a collision between motorcycles that left several riders injured. Seeing the crash, a 42-year-old man and his companion stopped their motorcycle to help — an act of bayanihan that would cost one of them his life.
As the two were assisting the injured, a wing van truck approached at speed. Investigators said the truck also lost its brakes, its driver’s view partially blocked by a vehicle ahead.
“Duha to sila, nag-motor man to sila, nakalabay sila… sa ilang pagkamatinabangon, nihunong sila aron motabang unta… wala sila kabantay nga naghaguros na tong wing van,” said Traffic Investigator Master Sergeant Bryan Baillo of the Balingasag Municipal Police Station.
Baillo said the man who stopped to help managed to push his companion out of harm’s way, absorbing the impact himself.
“Matud sa nakakita… katong isa, natulod siya atong namatay maong wala na apil,” he said, recounting witness statements.
The Good Samaritan died on the spot.
More Victims, Minor Injuries
The out-of-control wing van continued forward, striking other road users who had stopped nearby.
Police said it hit:
- A motorcycle carrying two women who were watching the initial crash from the roadside;
- A tricab that was sideswiped;
- A parked SUV whose occupants had stopped to look on.
In total, seven people sustained minor injuries. All were taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged.
Baillo noted that many of those hurt were not directly involved in the original collision but had stopped along the highway to observe, turning the crash scene into what he described as a dangerous bottleneck.
Brake Failure Cited in Both Crashes
Investigators in both Villanueva and Balingasag pointed to brake failure as the primary cause of each incident, a recurring issue on cargo-heavy highways linking ports, factories and market towns in Misamis Oriental.
Under the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act No. 4136), drivers and vehicle owners are required to ensure heavy vehicles are roadworthy, including having fully functional braking systems. Violations can carry criminal and civil penalties.
In these cases, however, police said the families of the deceased and the injured parties opted for private settlements with the truck owners. As a result, no formal complaints were filed.
Police Warn Against Stopping on Highways
Following the incidents, municipal police units in Misamis Oriental issued renewed public safety reminders, warning motorists against stopping along busy highways after accidents.
While acknowledging the instinct to help, authorities said roadside assistance on high-speed national roads can expose Good Samaritans and bystanders to lethal risks.
The back-to-back deaths, they warned, show how quickly compassion can collide with heavy machinery — and how a single mechanical failure can ripple outward, claiming lives far beyond the first impact.
