8 killed as truck hits 2 vans in Isabela

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Eight people were killed in a road accident involving three vehicles in the town of Aurora in Isabela before dawn yesterday.

Four of the fatalities were identified as van driver Oseas Calderon and his passengers Niches Heizle Cagayongan, Claribel Maling and Jing Romboa.

Authorities have yet to identify the rest of the fatalities, who were declared dead on arrival in a nearby hospital.

Another van driver, Ron Onalan, was taken to the same hospital for treatment of injuries.

Reports said a six-wheeler truck driven by October de Leon was traveling along the highway in Barangay San Pedro when it hit Ronalan’s Toyota Hi-Ace at around 2:45 a.m.

After hitting Ronalan’s vehicle, the truck reportedly collided with another van driven by Calderon.

The truck driver was also taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Investigation is ongoing.

3 dead in Laguna road mishap

Meanwhile, in Laguna, three people died while seven others were injured in a collision between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a bus in San Pablo City.

Reports said the SUV was crossing an intersection along Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Francis when it was hit by the bus at around 1:45 a.m. yesterday.

Both vehicles crashed into a steel gate of a nearby establishment.

The impact caused the SUV to roll over.

The SUV driver, identified only as Leo, and four others were rushed to the San Pablo City District Hospital for treatment of injuries. Three of them – Jovan, Rizaldy and Gian – died while being treated, according to Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon police.

The bus driver told probers that he stepped on the brakes, but it was too late to avoid the SUV.

In Pangasinan, a woman died when a tricycle driven by a minor figured in an accident in the town of Sta. Barbara before dawn yesterday.

Lorna Aquino, 38, died while being treated at the Region 1 Medical Center, where the minor was also rushed for treatment of injuries.

Investigation showed the victims were traveling in Barangay Maningding at past 1 a.m. when the tricycle’s chain drive came off, causing the minor to lose control of the wheel.

The victims were thrown off as the vehicle rolled over several times. — Emmanuel Tupas, Cesar Ramirez