TUBA, Benguet – Three persons died while nineteen others were injured after a lowland-bound van suffered from mechanical trouble on the descending portion of the Marcos highway and rested on its side at sitio Bontiway, Poblacion, Sunday early morning.
Police authorities identified the fatalities who died on the spot as Justine Nichole Fernandez Bungay, 22, single, unemployed and a resident of San Francisco 2nd, Minalin, Pampanga; Homer Lopez Lozano, 46, single, unemployed and a resident of Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga and Arlene Apilado Naguil, 56, housewife and a resident of Mabical, Floridablanca, Pampanga.
Probers disclosed that the said van was on its way to the lowlands and was navigating a sharp curve of the road when it reportedly suffered from mechanical trouble as it allegedly lost its brake causing it to swerve to the road shoulder, bumped the concrete parapet, then went back to the south-bound lane and rested on the center of the highway on a diagonal position.
The fatalities and the injured passengers sustained multiple injuries that prompted responding rescuers and police personnel from the Tuba Municipal Police Station to rush them to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for medical treatment.
The three fatalities reportedly died on the spot while 14 passengers, including the driver were discharged after being given the appropriate medical attention by the health personnel in the said hospital.
On the other hand, five passengers who also sustained multiple injuries were admitted at the hospital and are now in stable condition awaiting the necessary clearance from health authorities before being discharged.
The van driver is now under the custody of police investigators awaiting the filing of the appropriate charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and damage to property against him. By Dexter A. See
