Road accident kills 1, injures 8

CEBU, Philippines – A woman died while eight others were injured when a Nissan van they were riding collided with a wing-van truck along the national highway in Sitio Bagalnga, Barangay Flores, Catmon Sunday afternoon.

Teresita Orlanes was declared dead on arrival at the Juan Dosado Memorial District Hospital in Sogod because of severe head injury after their van collided with the truck driven by Delfin Archival at 3:00 p.m. Sunday while on their way home to Barangay San Jose, Catmon.

Five-year-old Kyr Orlanes is in critical condition while Marilyn Colosos, 52; Jennifer Orlanes; Francis Paul Brehente, 8; Samuel Brehente,58; Ester Colosos,69; Renato Doña, 60; and Mateo Abayon, 38, only suffered minor injuries.

The victims came from a family gathering in Barangay Macaas and were heading north when the city-bound wing van truck driven by Archival, 48, resident of Sitio Dita, Barangay Pulangbato in Cebu City, collided with them.

The van that the victims were in also rammed into an electric post after the collision. Archival reportedly admitted it was his fault because he fell asleep while behind the wheel.

SPO3 Asisclo Boto of the Catmon Police Station said that Archival's claim coincided with their initial investigation.

"Sa skid marks klaro nga nakagawas na sa right lane ang truck kay nakatug man kuno siya samtang ga-drive," Boto told The FREEMAN.

The truck van owned by Roel Remedio of Cabancalan, Mandaue City was used as a delivery vehicle of assorted goods.

The police said they will file criminal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide with multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property against the truck driver. (FREEMAN)