1 dead, 2 hurt in Toledo road mishap

CEBU, Philippines - One died while two others were hurt after a 10-wheeler truck transporting cement lost control and hit two motorcycles and two pick-up trucks along the highway in Barangay Bunga, Toledo City yesterday morning.

The 10-wheeler truck, driven by one Hermogenes Navaro, 57, reportedly lost its breaks while travelling down a steep road around 9:20 am.

Residents along the highway scampered to safety as bags of cement were thrown off the 10-wheeler truck. Navaro was transporting 600 bags of cement from Cebu City to a hardware store in Toledo City.

According to witnesses, Navaro’s truck first hit a motorcycle driven by John Sabinay, 57, a teacher at the Bunga National High School, before it hit the pickup truck driven by Morillo Sabanal, 30; a parked motorcycle owned by Moreno Pacaña; and another pick-up truck owned by one Arvinson Gabisan. 

The 10-wheeler truck reportedly travelled out of control for up to 60 meters before it fell into a drainage.

Sabinay died subsequently two hours later owing to severe head injuries. He passed away at the Carmen Copper Corporation (CCC) Hospital.

Sabanal broke his arm as he was hit while climbing up his truck. He and his truck boy, Jovanne Enriquez, were rushed to CCC hospital for medical treatment.

Toledo City traffic investigator PO3 Cris Gako said the incident was purely caused by mechanical error. Navaro immediately surrendered to the police after the incident.

According to Gako, Navaro will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide, physical injuries and damage to property. A formal complaint will be filed against him tomorrow.

Investigators described the location of the incident as a “high-risk area” for motorists because of the number of vehicles that travel to and from the Carmen Copper Corporation located nearby. (FREEMAN)