BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Thirteen people, mostly high school students, were killed when a 14-wheeler truck rammed a passenger jeep in Ilocos Norte early yesterday morning.
Among the fatalities in the accident that occurred around 7:30 a.m. along the national highway in Sarrat town’s Barangay Pariir were the driver and conductor of the Laoag City-bound jeep and several students of the Santa Rosa
National High School in Sarrat.
Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, Ilocos Norte police director, said both vehicles were traveling at top speed when they collided.
Chan said Mickey Agbayani, Jenica Durupan, Evelyn Canonizado died on the spot.
Jeepney driver Ludwig de la Cruz and his conductor Glister Romero; Jeremy Burgos, Angelica Cruz and 5-year-old Rylee Austin Canonizado, Evelyn Canonizado, died upon arrival at the Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRASMH).
Angelica Malilay, Jane Ashley Pumaras and Steve Bueno died at the Mariano Marcos Hospital, while a still unidentified male died at the Dingras District Hospital while undergoing treatment.
The only survivor was 12-year-old Joshua Bolibol, who is currently undergoing medical treatment at the GRASMH.
The jeepney reportedly turned turtle as a result of the impact and incurred heavy damage on its front part.
Truck driver Vencio Butac is now in the custody of Sarrat police. He said he signaled to the jeepney driver to slow down using his headlights and to return to his proper lane but the public utility vehicle was going too fast and collided with his truck. – Teddy Molina, Cecille Suerte Felipe