2 died, 5 injured in road accidents

CEBU, Philippines - Two people died and five others were injured in separate vehicular accidents yesterday in the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Talisay.

The fatalities were identified as tricycle driver Edu Saumay, resident of Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, and truck helper Ariel Luceña, 46, resident of Santa Rita, Banawa, Cebu City.

Saumay died on the spot after his tricycle collided with a 10-wheeler truck in Sitio Iba, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Police Officer 1 Melvin Eyas, traffic investigator, said the truck was driven by Rene Garles, 51, of Barangay Cotcot, Liloan.

Eyas said the truck was loaded with sand and gravel from Sitio Sudtunggan in Barangay Basak  and was on its way to deliver it to Consolacion.

"Maayong pagkalim-buyad sa traysikol gumikan sa impact sa head on collision nga niresulta sa pagkaangol sa mga pasahero," Eyas said.

Saumay’s passengers, Miguel Mercado, 27; Vince Manlangit, 28; Michell Tan Wells, 25; Carl Anthony Uy, 23; and John Louie Amore, 21, were also injured.

They were rushed to the hospital together with Saumay but the latter was pronounced dead on arrival.

Luceña, on the other hand, died after the coco lumber they were transporting moved toward him when the driver applied a sudden brake.

 The freak incident happened at 2 p.m. yesterday in Barangay Lawaan, Talisay City.

Truck driver Danilo Sabanal, 28, a native of Bukidnon, allegedly applied a sudden brake to avoid hitting another vehicle in front of him resulting in the movement of the lumber.

 The truck driver surrendered to the police and is currently detained at the police station pending the filing of possible criminal complaint.

Meanwhile, a monstrous traffic was experienced by motorists Tuesday night along U.N. Avenue going to Marcelo Fernan Bridge because of a traffic accident involving a prime mover, a wing van and a pickup truck.

City information officer Jun Veliganio posted on Facebook that the accident was recorded in the Mandaue City Command Center at around 9:56 a.m. It took almost an hour before the vehicles involved were pulled out resulting in heavy traffic. — Garry B. Lao and Iris B. Algabre (FREEMAN)