Dump truck driver in Naga road crash facing charges

CEBU, Philippines — The family of a 23-year-old nursing student who died in a road crash in Naga City, Cebu has filed a criminal complaint against a 25-year-old dump truck driver involved in the collision.

The case stems from the incident where two dump trucks collided along the national highway in Barangay Balirong on April 18, which resulted in the death of Gayle Labra Olandria.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Jeremias Caballero of the Naga City Police Station, the victim’s family filed a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against driver Raymart Paran Sepada on April 20.

The charge applies to cases where negligence leads to death without intent to kill.

Two other passengers who were injured in the crash, identified as Cristene Marie Cabo, 20, and Maria Carmen Garces, 22, have also expressed their intent to file charges against Sepada. They are currently securing medical certificates, which will be included in a separate complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries.

The injured victims have already been discharged from a hospital in Cebu City, where they were taken after the incident.

Meanwhile, authorities said the driver of the other truck involved in the crash, which was carrying the students, has decided not to file any complaint.

Sepada, identified as the driver of the second dump truck, remains under police custody while documentation for the cases is being completed.

Initial police investigation showed that two dump trucks were traveling in the same direction from Toledo City toward Naga City when the collision happened at around 1:54 p.m. in Barangay Balirong.

Investigators said the truck carrying the students slowed down after another vehicle reportedly swerved into its lane. The following truck allegedly attempted to overtake but collided with the vehicle ahead.

Citing witness accounts and dashcam footage, police said speeding and overtaking played a key role in the crash sequence.

Olandria died after sustaining severe head injuries when she was pinned against the tailgate of the truck, while two other passengers, Cabo and Garces, survived but required medical attention.

Authorities also noted that the group had just come from a hiking trip at Mt. Naupa in Barangay Lanas before riding a truck home.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as the cases move forward. — /MRM (FREEMAN)