BAGUIO CITY – Two people died while three others were injured after a passenger jeepney plunged into a 140-feet ravine at Atok Trail, here, Saturday morning.
Police authorities identified the fatalities as Henry Abes Lucao, 51 years old, married, labourer and Rose Fongafong Sapkian, 43 years old, married, housewife while those injured were named as Daisylyn Apostol Gregorio, 18 Single, self-employed, Christopher Baldado Miano, 18 years old, self-employed, and Reysel Robles Paterno, 18 years old, single, self-employed and Marisa Bagano Villanueva, 47 years old, married, EPZA Factory Worker, all residents of Lower Atok Trail, Baguio City.
Initial police investigation showed the jeepney came from Lower Atok Trail when the driver, who was identified as Bonyrick Palcongan Verceles, 48 years old, married, and a resident of Lower Atok Trail, Baguio City, stopped his vehicle in front of their house and asked permission from the passengers to get his wallet which he forgot inside their house.
He then notched the vehicle’s hand brake without shutting of the engine, alighted from the vehicle and went inside their house.
The vehicle suddenly rolled back until it plunged into the deep ravine that inflicted injuries to the passengers.
The rescued passengers were immediately rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for medical treatment but Lucao was declared dead on arrival due to multiple head and body injuries while Sapkian expired several hours later while being given medical attention.
The driver was subsequently placed under the custody of the responding police operatives and stands to face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property before the city prosecutor’s office.
By Dexter A. See
