A 90-year-old church volunteer on her way to serve at St. Augustine Church was killed after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing a pedestrian lane in San Fernando, Pampanga. The driver was released on bail less than two days after the fatal incident.

The death of Erlinda Santos Tagle, whom her family described as an active and independent senior citizen, has sparked calls for accountability after CCTV footage cited in police and court records allegedly showed her crossing at a designated pedestrian lane when she was hit by a Toyota Hilux on 24 June.

“We hope justice will be served after this incident,” said her son-in-law, James Malang, who questioned the speed with which the suspect secured his release.

“The driver was jailed on 24 June, underwent inquest proceedings on the morning of 25 June, and was already out on bail that same afternoon,” Malang said.

Records from the City Prosecutor’s Office identified the driver as Reynaldo Abrasaldo Calidguid, 56, of Quezon City. He is facing a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

According to a complaint filed by Tagle’s daughter, Annanina Morales Tagle, the incident occurred at around 5:10 a.m. while the victim was crossing the pedestrian lane in front of St. Augustine Church in Barangay San Agustin.

Police reports and witness affidavits stated that a red Toyota Hilux with plate number NIM-9758 struck Tagle, throwing her onto the pavement and inflicting fatal injuries.

She was rushed to Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at about 5:35 a.m.

Her death certificate listed the immediate cause of death as traumatic cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to multiple blunt chest trauma sustained in a road crash involving a moving pickup truck.

A traffic accident investigation by the City of San Fernando Police Station, based on CCTV footage, stated that Tagle was crossing the pedestrian lane while the Toyota Hilux was traveling northbound toward Angeles City.