SMASHUP: Benz driver killed in 6-vehicle mishap

Two persons died on the spot, one pinned behind the steering wheel of a Mercedez Benz and the other run over by a passenger bus, while a balikbayan couple was in critical condition after they figured in separate vehicular accidents at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Sunday and yesterday morning.

Reports said early morning rains made the highway slippery and triggered a six-vehicle smashup which killed Mercedez Benz driver Eduardo Hernandez, 57, of Protacio Street, Pasay City.

A still unidentified man who was run over by a Baliwag Transit bus as he crossed the busy highway was also killed, the police said.

Balikbayans Juanito Santero, 65, and his wife Modesta, 62, were taken in serious condition to the Montefalco Hospital in Meycauayan, Bulacan.

Investigation showed the smashup took place at around 5:30 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Paseo de Blas near the Malinta Exit in Valenzuela City.

Valenzuela police chief Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Ureña said Hernandez was pinned to the steering wheel of his golden yellow Benz (PGB 670) in a six-vehicle accident.

Hernandez’ car was a total wreck, sandwiched between a van (TDZ 508) he crashed into driven by one Bobby Domingo and a 10-wheeler Isuzu trailer truck (WBV 541).

The trailer truck’s driver escaped as volunteers trying to rescue the victims brought them to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Prior to the incident, van driver Domingo said he was trying to avoid bumping into a zigzagging Isuzu Elf (WBG 628) driven by Rolando Pasonada, forcing him to make a swerve to the right, smack right into the path of the victims’ speeding car. Three other cars were also damaged in the collision but without injuries to other persons, traffic probers said.

The Santeros, who had just arrived from abroad were on their way to Zambales for a vacation, were on board Hernandez’ Benz.

Meanwhile, the still unidentified man, who was carelessly crossing the NLEX, was run over by a speeding Baliwag Transit bus along the highway’s Baesa, Caloocan City portion around 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Bus driver Jose Joel Bayas, 37, of Barangay Talambas, Bustos, Bulacan, turned himself over to the authorities after the incident. – Jerry Botial and Pete Laude