1 dead, 18 hurt in Luzon road mishaps

MANILA, Philippines - A tricycle driver died while 18 others were injured in separate vehicular accidents in Pangasinan and the Bicol region on Saturday.

Ernesto Soriano, 70, of Barangay Malacañang, San Carlos City, was declared dead on arrival at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital where his three passengers – Jackyline Malicdem, 26; Hildrich Catabay, 18, and Faye Curaming, 17 – were also taken for treatment.

Soriano was driving in Barangay Papagueyan when one of the tricycle’s tires burst.

He lost control of the wheel, causing the tricycle to fall into the rice field.

In Albay, eight persons were injured in a collision involving an Asian utility vehicle (AUV) and a tricycle in Barangay Libod, Camalig town.

The AUV, driven by Bevina Gallego, engineer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,  reportedly swerved and hit a tricycle driven by Erdjun Barbacena, 26.

Gallego, Barbacena and their passengers were taken to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital for treatment, according to Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police information officer.

In Sorsogon, seven persons were also injured when a motorcycle hit a tricycle in Barangay North Poblacion, Juban town.

Drivers Jhon Rey Lorilla, 26, and Charlie Guamos, 46, were taken to the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Guamos was with his wife and their three children in the tricycle when they figured in the accident.