Student dies after being hit by van at Ateneo parking lot

MANILA, Philippines - A 10-year-old student died after being accidentally hit by a van at the parking lot of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon.

Julian Carlo Miguel Alcantara was dead on arrival at the New Era Hospital because of the fatal body injuries he sustained.

His nanny, 65-year-old Tata Suarez, was also slightly injured in the accident, according to case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Felicisino Cuaresma Jr.

The suspect was identified as interior designer Ma. Theresa Torres, 37, of Charbel Executive Village on Mindanao Avenue.

Superintendent Rudie Valoria, chief of the Quezon City Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit, said they are set to file charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injury against Torres.

According to Valoria, Torres was taken into custody after the incident.

“She was even the one who brought the victims to the hospital and presented herself to us after,” Valoria said in an interview.

The Toyota van (CRW-705) being driven by Torres was impounded after the incident. It sustained dents in the bumper after it reportedly bumped into another vehicle during the accident.

Cuaresma said the incident happened at around 4:20 p.m. at the parking lot of Ateneo.

Valoria said Alcantara, who was a grade school student at the Ateneo and reportedly a skydiver, was on his way home after school with his nanny when the accident happened.

“The suspect’s vehicle has just moved forward at the parking lot of Ateneo de Manila University when the front portion of her driven vehicle hit and injured the victims then walking thereat,” Cuaresma said in a report.

Valoria said there was a possibility that Torres may have stepped on the wrong pedal that may have caused the accident.

“Maybe as she was moving forward, she was shocked to see the two already in front. But maybe, instead of stepping on the brake, she stepped on the accelerator,” Valoria said.

Valoria said there is also a possibility that the fatal injury that the boy sustained may have been caused by a hard fall on the concrete pavement and not by the direct impact caused by Torres’ vehicle.