TACURONG CITY, Aug. 31 (PNA) — Police here said the death toll in Sunday’s highway mishap involving a passenger multi-cab and hauler truck rose to 9 after another passenger, a woman, expired while being transferred to Gen. Santos City.
Senior Supt. Junny Buenacosa, Tacurong City police chief, said the latest fatality was Queenie Yalong. Her daughter Angel was among those who died on the spot.
Nino Paderna, driver of hauler truck (XDG-700) loaded with 10 tons of palay, said before the incident, he noticed the passenger vehicle swerving left and right as it overtook another vehicle.
The hauler truck was heading to North Cotabato from Sultan Kudarat province passing Tacurong City while the multi-cab, driven by an off duty police officer, was returning home to Kalawag, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat from a family reunion.
According to Paderna, he tried to avoid the passenger vehicle but it went to his direction, occupying his right lane.
“I avoided the multi-cab but it went directly to my lane and it was too late for met to avoid because another vehicle was on my right,” said Paderna, who was cruising the four-lane portion of Tacurong City-Isulan, Sultan Kudarat highway.
Buenacosa said the truck driver was subjected to liquor test but results are still unavailable.
The truck driver is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide. The incident happened at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
The multi-cab (AAU-2464) was driven by Police Officer 1 Dennis Sancho member of the Esperanza municipal police station.
Also killed were Sancho’s five-year-old son Christian Jay; Teresita Yalong Viroza, 63; Reggie Deligero Yalong, 20; Jaja Yalong, 7; Jelai Yalong, 8; Rosie Yalong Aquino, 50; and another unidentified passenger.
Those still in the hospital were Angel Yalong, 7; Ariel Aquino Yalong, 38; and Ricardo Aquino Yalong, 31.
Driver Paderna sustained back injuries and bruises. Truck helpers Murillo Guerrero, 42, and Michael Libung Diamante, 28, were also hurt during the collision.
The injured were confined at Quijano Hospital and Saint Louis Hospital in Tacurong City and Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat for treatment.
Most of the fatalities were pinned inside the passenger vehicle, especially the children. (PNA)