3 Dead, 15 Others Injured in CAMSUR Highway Collision

NAGA CITY (2 December) - THREE WERE REPORTED DEAD and 15 others injured in a reported collision of a loaded multi-cab vehicle owned by the San Fernando local government and a 10-wheeler truck along the Maharlika Highway at Sitio Baraca, Barangay Del Pilar, San Fernando, Cam. Sur, about 7:00 A.M. on Tuesday (Dec. 1).

The Universidad de Sta. Isabel-Mother Seton Hospital spokesperson Rowena Guadaña had confirmed the identities of three "DOA" victims as: Barangay Councilor Jerry Notado, 36, (driver of the multi-cab) Herwin Santiago, and Victor Noora Jr.

Guadaña also said that 12 other patients many with dislocated arms, legs, critical wounds, bruises are still confined at the Mother Seton, while three out-patients suffered minor injuries and sent home.

A total of 18 patients admitted from the said vehicular mishap, the spokesperson said.

Initial investigation of the San Fernando Municipal Police Station (MPS) under Police Insp. Edgar R. Ballarda revealed that a yellow-colored multi-cab owned by the San Fernando LGU was transporting contestants of a village marathon-race in celebration of the "Barangay Del Pilar Day."

Witnesses along the Maharlika Highway in Sitio Baraca told the police that the government vehicle driven by Councilor Notada was filled with passengers up to the vehicle's roof and running "zigzag" along the national road, until it collided with a Southbound Isuzu, 10-wheeler truck, with plate RJA-971, driven by Edgar Tamayo Asoque, 30, a resident of Golden Acres Sub,. Las Pinas City.

Asoque, who surrendered to the police, said he forced the truck to a halt, but the multi-cab drove head-on into his vehicle, encroaching into his lane.

Reportedly, the victims were pulled out of the wrecked multi-cab, most of them were teenagers joining the marathon.

A PNP list identified the injured as: Nelson San Juan; Kennedy Delpose; Glenn Aleta; Joel Africano; Sandyvar Ballesteros; Melvin and Zaldy Matalote; Marlon Niño Santiago; Sammy and Jerry Visaya; Roel Onan; Antonio Reyes; Eddie Noble; Jullie Festijo; and Mario Aroso, all residents of Del Pilar, San Fernando town. (SONNY SALES)