Road accidents and the Mondejar Family

In one blink of an eye, a child lost his entire family in a car accident. There is no way we can fathom the depth of the pain he is going through. May our collective prayers and thoughts somehow mitigate the pain.

The incident reminds us once more that death, whatever its cause, comes at any time. Death, the Bible says, is like a thief in the night.

Imer Mondejar was the lone survivor of the car accident that his family met in Barangay Dunggoan, Danao City, last Tuesday, February 21, 2023. His father Erwin Mondejar, his mother Imelda, and his sister Erin Bliss, all died after the family’s sedan collided with a truck. The family planned to spend their vacation in Cebu.

Imer is now recuperating in a private hospital.

To lose one member of the family will always prove unbearable. To lose an entire family is unimaginable.

The investigation is still ongoing as to the cause of the accident. Angles are being looked into. What I can say is that so many factors can cause accidents. But I do not want to speculate as to the cause of the death of the members of the Mondejar Family out of deep respect for the dead. I prefer to wait for the final result of the investigation.

The data on accidents, however, tells us some of the causes: Overspeeding, driving under the influence of liquor, distracted driving, drowsy driving, among others.

Overspeeding will give you no time to maneuver against hazards on the road. Some over speed because they are already late for an appointment. While such gives some people a deep sense of adventure, it is dangerous.

Driving under the influence of liquor or illegal drugs is another cause. People feel this false sense of alertness when they drive drunk or are high on drugs. But accidents do not care about our “trip”.

Distracted driving happens when we yield to distractions while driving. Accidents happen in a split-second. That is why we should not send text messages or make calls while driving.

Falling asleep while driving is also one of the reasons why road accidents occur. It is said that “walay maayong laki sa makatog.” It is crucial, however, that we should not be driving when we are too tired or sleepy. It pays to be alert all the time.

But I am saying all these with the caveat that even in what appears to be perfect situations, accidents occur. The causes are sometimes are beyond us. We may be cautious while we drive and may have taken all the necessary precautions, but that cannot always be said for the people around us.

I wish for us to develop a culture where we consider whether we endanger people or not when we drive.

May the Mondejar Family rest in peace.