2 dead, 9 hurt in road crash

CEBU, Philippines — Two people were killed while nine others were injured when a multicab pick-up and a van figured in an accident along the national highway in Barangay Langtad, City of Naga shortly before 10 p.m. on Monday.

Police identified the fatalities as Wiengelou Ugbamen, 18, a passenger in the Suzuki multicab pick-up (090108), and John Emmanuel Diez, 24, driver of Nissan Urvan (GAB 5788).

The multicab was driven by Archie Perpetua. A passenger of the cab identified as Ralf Tumacmol, from Dumanjug town, was injured.

Also injured were the van’s passengers: Elemar Quijano, 34, married, from Carcar City; Jose Marata, 43, married, from Barangay Bolinawan, Carcar; Rose Dela Cerna, 26, single, from Barangay Balud, San Fernando; Pamela Abella, 21, single, from Barangay Panadtaran, San Fernando; Harren Jenobana, 19, from San Fernando; Annie Villarosa, 68, married, from Carcar; Sarah Mae Caninit, 19, single, from Carcar; Michael Jearvas, 20, from Barangay Poblacion, Sibonga town.

According to Police Master Sergeant Michael Villarmia, desk officer of the City of Naga Police Station, initial investigation revealed that the two vehicles were travelling on opposite directions at the time of the incident: the van was heading south while the multicab was heading north.

Villarmia told The FREEMAN that upon reaching the crash site, Perpetua lost control of his vehicle, which caused it to swerve to the other lane and hit the Nissan driven by Diez.

Villarmia said that all victims were brought to various hospitals in Cebu but Ugbamen was declared dead on arrival at a private medical center in Naga.

He also said that after conducting a follow-up investigation yesterday morning, it was learned that Diez had also succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital despite intensive care and monitoring by physicians.

The other victims are still recuperating in various hospitals while the police continue to investigate the incident to determine who could be held liable for it.

Villarmia said a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple injuries will be filed against the erring driver. (FREEMAN)