In a startling incident, a 12-year-old boy took the family’s pick-up truck without permission to purchase water and ended up causing a collision with another vehicle. The young lad was apprehended by the police following the crash, which involved a white Suzuki Swift and the family’s Toyota Hilux.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the accident that occurred in Talisay, southeast of Manila, Philippines. However, the traffic police stressed the dangers of allowing underage children to operate motor vehicles and held the boy’s father accountable for the crash.
Upon being called to the police station, the father expressed astonishment that his son had decided to embark on a joyride with the family’s pickup truck, as he had only asked him to fetch water.
To resolve the matter, the father agreed to cover the expenses for the damage caused to the other party’s vehicle. The situation was resolved amicably in light of this agreement.
A spokesperson for the City of Talisay Traffic Operations & Development Authority confirmed, “A 12-year-old boy driving a pick-up crashed into a car. The juvenile driver, along with the couple and their child who were in the struck car, are safe.”
Patrolman Alexis Vincent Gaensan attempted to contact the parents but was unable to reach them as the child did not possess a cell phone with a contact number. The boy was returned to his home by the wrecker, and the pick-up truck was impounded.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that children are not permitted to operate motor vehicles until they are of legal age and possess the necessary skills and responsibility for safe driving.
