A delivery van making a U-turn on a busy road in Chinatown, Binondo, Manila, severely injured a mentally ill woman on Wednesday night. Police from the Vehicular Traffic Investigation Section of the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (VTIS-MDTEU) identified the victim as Evelyn Samalya, a 50-year-old Filipino woman from Laguna, who is reported to be mentally ill.
The delivery van in question was an aluminum van with plate number NGG 1942. The accident occurred at approximately 6:15 PM on 22 January 2025, along the westbound lane of Ronquillo Street at the roundabout of Plaza Sta. Cruz, Binondo, Manila.
According to CCTV footage from Barangay 303, Zone 29, District 3, under Barangay Captain Ariel Sierda, the closed van driven was executing a U-turn from the eastbound lane to the westbound lane of Ronquillo Street, in front of Plaza Sta. Cruz. During this maneuver, the left rear portion of the vehicle sideswiped the victim, who was sitting at the edge of the plaza.
As a result, the pedestrian sustained severe injuries to her left lower leg. She was subsequently rushed by a Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) ambulance to the Philippine General Hospital for immediate medical treatment. The truck driver is currently detained at the Manila Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit and will be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury.