Four dead, three hurt in Easter car accident

Four people died and three others suffered serious injuries when a car they were riding turned turtle and crashed at an electric post along Gorordo Ave. early dawn yesterday shortly after the faithful started the Easter celebration.

Two of the fatalities have been identified while the identities of a dead man and a woman were yet to be established as of presstime.

The three injured were taken to two hospitals.

Killed in the crash, which took place at corner Kamagong St. and Gorordo Ave. were Claudio Nuñez, 37, of Calabasa St., Sta. Maria, Bulacan and Ma. Theresa Engayo, 21, of Alcantara St., Sambag II.

SPO3 Julio Requina,Jr. of the Traffic Group said those injured were treated in separate hospitals including the driver, Renato Gelbolingo, 36, a resident of sitio Puntod, barangay Alaska-Mambaling.

The two injured were identified as Redentor Cabag, 24, and Gary Opaco, both neighbors of Gelbolingo.

Requina told The Freeman that based on the investigation of PO2 Anthony Deligero, the victims were onboard a Toyota Corolla sedan with plate number PLJ-285 heading towards downtown area.

While cruising, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and hit the gutter. The impact made the vehicle turn turtle before hitting the electric post.

The vehicle was a total wreck and the victims were pinned inside.

Rescuers and concerned citizens pulled out all seven victims and rushed them to different hospitals.

Nuñez,Opaco and the still unidentified fatalities were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Gelbolingo and Cabag were brought to Perpetual Succour Hospital and reportedly suffered severe head and body injuries while Engayo was rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where she was declared dead on arrival.

Requina said they are still investigating the cause of the accident, but he has noted that the vehicle was overloaded.

Police would be preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and serious physical injuries against Gelbolingo. — Edwin Ian Melecio/NLQ