10 hurt as drunk driver hits vehicles, pharmacy

MANILA, Philippines — Ten people were injured when an alleged drunk driver rammed a vehicle and mowed down four motorcycles before hitting a pharmacy in Caloocan City on Wednesday night.

Bryan Chua Tan, 29, was driving his Toyota Innova (NDU-7654) along Camarin Road in Barangay 174 when he hit a Mitsubishi Adventure driven by Lemuel Rolda Francisco, who was going in the opposite direction, in front of the gate of Bellefonte Subdivision at around 9 p.m., according to a report provided by Caloocan police chief Col. Ruben Lacuesta.

Tan sped away and drove against the flow of traffic, crashing into four motorcycles and eventually the steel rollup of Genwin Pharmacy.

The motorcycles’ drivers and their passengers were rushed to different hospitals: Rogelio Sacarias Desiderio, 37; Charmaine Ann Mendoza Lagunda, 35; Jerry Anlap Mayor, 31; Rose Marie Anlap Mayor, 53; Anne Marjorie Cabactulan Sanchez, 33; Noella Rhose Valino Maniego, 27; Jericson Ambrosio Señias, 33; Jerry Bayani; and a still unidentified man.

Some of them were left lying on the road after Tan’s vehicle hit them.

According to earlier reports, the incident in Caloocan occurred after Tan allegedly tried to escape after he hit three cars in Quezon City.

These reports stated that Tan admitted to being drunk while driving, but that he insisted his car’s brakes had failed.

Tan, who is currently detained at the Caloocan police’s traffic office, faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property, as well as driving under the influence of liquor or narcotic drug under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.