Truck loses brakes along SRP; 5 hurt, 9 vehicles damaged

CEBU, Philippines - Five people were injured and nine vehicles were damaged in an accident along the South Road Properties in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City Friday evening.

The accident, which happened at 6:45 p.m., caused heavy traffic for over an hour at the SRP, said Police Officer 2 Marvin Papellero of Talisay City Traffic Division.

He said all vehicles bound for Cebu City were caught in the traffic jam.

Papellero said the accident started when a Fuzo truck reportedly lost its brakes and hit a Suzuki Alto.

Truck driver Guillermo Navarro, 50, a resident of Talisay City, alleged that the truck lost its brakes, which made him hit the car of Thirty Malones, 33, of Barangay Ibo, Toledo City.

Because of the impact, Malones' Suzuki Alto blocked the road and hit the rear portion of a Kia Sportage driven by John Vlda Buquiver, 29, of Barangay Alang-Alang, Mandaue City.

Since Navarro lost control of the truck, the vehicle continued to run for a few meters and hit the back of a Toyota Innova, a Nissan Urban Escapade, a Toyota Vios, and three motorcycles, all bound for Cebu City.

Police identified those involved as Mario Larita, 47, of Lutopan, Toledo City, the driver of the Toyota Innova; 67-year-old Marcial Obenque, also of Toledo City, driver of the Nissan Urban; Arnel Romero, 50, of Cebu City, driver of the Vios; and drivers of the three motorcycles Jujith Belleza, 39, Paul Den Mark Lauron, 20, and Ernesto Guinobutin, from Cebu City.

Papellero said it was still fortunate that no one died in the accident, although five were injured: Belleza, Lauron and his backrider Amy Gillera, 20, and Guinobutin and his backrider Mark Guinobutin, 18.

The victims, who sustained only minor wounds, were brought to Talisay City District Hospital.

Navarro, meanwhile, was brought to Talisay City Police Station for proper disposition while the truck is now also in police custody.  (FREEMAN)