3 dead in 4-vehicle smashup

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Three people, including a nine-year-old boy, died while another was injured in a four-vehicle smashup along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Barangay Sapang Balen in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Abraham Abayari, Malabalacat police chief, identified the fatalities as MJ Uriel Santos; Normita Valencia, 49, and Leslie Pangan, 46, all passengers of a Toyota Wigo and residents of Barangay Mapalacsiao in Tarlac City.

The driver of the vehicle, Ma. Maureen Santos, 47, was injured.

Initial investigation showed the accident occurred when the driver of a pickup lost control of the wheel, hit the barrier and collided with a passenger bus, a truck and the car of the victims in the opposite lane.