BAGUIO CITY – A closed van driver died while his three companions are now in serious condition in a local hospital after their vehicle that was loaded with soil and stones suffered mechanical trouble with the malfunctioning of its brakes that resulted to its plunging into the golf course that is undergoing construction at Sta. Lucia, Suello village here Sunday morning.
Police authorities identified the fatality as Bonifacio Pagtalunan, the truck driver, who lives at Km. 3, Marcos highway while his wounded crew were named as Abraham Rivera, Edgar Belando and Christian Cruz, all natives of Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto, Bulacan and residents of the same place.
Initial police investigation showed the ill-fated truck was loaded with soil and stones which came from Marcos highway and was supposed to be dumped in a portion of the golf course as part of its backfill.
However, while the truck was negotiating the descending portion of Suello village, its brakes reportedly malfunctioned causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle until it rammed into several stone walls before plunging into the golf course.
AS a result of the incident, the truck was totally wrecked while Pagtalunan was declared dead on arrival in the hospital due to multiple head and body injuries.
Rivera and Belando are reportedly under critical condition at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) while Cruz was already declared out of danger.
Probers are still conducting the needed investigation in order to ascertain the appropriate charges to be filed against whoever will be found out to be liable.
By Dexter A. See
