Truck rams 3 houses; family of 4 hurt

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  – A family of four was injured when a 10-wheeler truck plowed through three houses and a store in Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district here Saturday night, police said.

The victims – Ruby Jabanag, 42, and her children Alvin, 20; Ana Mae, 18; and Andy Boy, 16 – were sleeping when the delivery truck loaded with cases of soft drinks rammed their house.

The truck was on its way to the Lapuz port to board a roll-on, roll-off vessel for Guimaras.

Chief Inspector Rhea Santos, police traffic investigation and enforcement chief, cited reports that truck driver Elizalde Pamplona, 35, fell asleep while driving.

Santos said Elizalde will be subjected to drug and alcohol tests. The driver is now detained while charges of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries and damage to properties are being readied against him.

Jabanag and her daughter are still confined at the St. Paul’s Hospital, while her two sons have been discharged.