BULACAN — A grandfather’s final act of heroism saved his two-year-old granddaughter during a tragic road accident along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Wednesday.

The 54-year-old man, whose identity was not immediately released, died after a trailer truck slammed into the gantry of the Marilao Interchange. But not before he shielded the toddler with his own body.

“Bale nung nangyari po yung aksidente, niyakap po niya yung bata, nung bumaligtad po yung sasakyan yakap-yakap po nung matanda yung bata kaya naligtas at hindi siya gaanong nasugatan,” Marilao police chief PLt. Col. Eulogio Lamqui III said.

Seven family members from Parañaque were onboard an AUV en route to Baguio for a family visit when the tragedy struck. Four of the six survivors remain hospitalized.

The 31-year-old truck driver, now detained at the Marilao police station, expressed remorse over the incident.

“Pasensiya na ho, hindi ko naman ginusto yun, pagbayaran na lang kung may kasalanan yun,” the driver said. He now faces multiple charges including reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

In response to the disaster, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) ordered the immediate suspension of toll collection by NLEX Corporation near the Marilao bridge — the site of repeated accidents.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon slammed the toll operator’s handling of the area and demanded accountability.

”’Di lang perwisyo [sa mga] motorista kundi buhay ang kapalit. Unacceptable ito,” Dizon said.

He added, ”’Di puwedeng ganon lang, may violation ‘yan.”

Dizon had earlier voiced disappointment in the toll management, citing clear negligence.

The Marilao bridge remains under repair following the crash.

📷 Department of Transportation FB, Anne Orencio