LUCENA CITY, Quezon Province — Two senior high school students lost their lives in a vehicular accident early Sunday morning on the intersection of Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bocohan, Lucena City, Quezon. The collision occurred around 3:30 a.m. when a car slammed into the rear of a trailer truck as it was turning toward Eco-Tourism Road.

Authorities reported that the force of the impact destroyed the vehicle, trapping the two students inside. Emergency responders conducted an extrication procedure to free the victims, who were then rushed to a nearby hospital. Sadly, both were declared dead on arrival by attending medical personnel.

The driver of the trailer truck has been detained and is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide and damage to property. Investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including possible contributing factors such as speed, visibility, and road conditions during the early hours.

This tragic incident highlights the vulnerabilities of early-morning drivers and raises questions about road safety, traffic enforcement, and accident prevention measures along major highways. While accidents can never be completely eliminated, experts argue that stricter traffic monitoring, driver awareness programs, and safer road design could reduce the frequency and severity of such tragedies. The deaths of these students are a stark reminder of how fragile life is on the roads, and they reignite the discussion on public safety priorities. The broader question emerges: are enough preventive measures being implemented to protect road users, especially during high-risk hours? (Larawan: BFP Tayabas / Facebook)