Truck rams shanties in Tondo; man dies, 17 hurt

A tricycle driver was crushed to death while 17 others were injured after a container truck plowed into a row of shanties in Tondo, Manila, early yesterday.

The fatality was identified by the Western Police District as Raymond Dizon, 18, of 227 Roldan street in Navotas. Dizon’s sister, Flordeliza, 17, who was seated in the cab of the victim’s tricycle, as injured.

Those injured were identified as Lenlen Narado, 19; and siblings Manelyn, 13; Jomari, 7; Jomar, 7; Jonjon, 6; Chacha, 5; Bong, 4; and Renren, 2; Dolores Amoril, 37; and her children Jason, 3; Sunshine; Geraldine, 11; Gloria Dokdokin, 82; and a certain Ponyong.

Also injured was truck driver Jo Perez, 27 and his helper Pepito Erne, 21. Those injured were rushed to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital.

Perez, who was allegedly drunk at the time of the incident, was arrested by police and is now detained at the WPD Integrated Jail.

Police reports said Perez was at the wheel of the truck with plate number PWH-506 loaded with the container van and cruising Road 10 at about 5:49 a.m.

Upon reaching Zaragosa Street, near Pier 8, Perez allegedly lost control of the wheel and sharply turned right, hitting Dizon’s tricycle. After hitting the tricycle, the truck jumped lanes and plowed into a row of shanties where the other victims were sleeping.

Police said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property are being readied against Perez.

Meanwhile, a bad joke led to the shooting to death of an inmate by a jail guard in Pasig City Sunday night.

The victim, Delfin Elapsin, who was serving sentence for violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban, sustained a gunshot wound in the body. He died while being taken to a nearby hospital.

Superintendent John Sosito, Pasig City police chief, said the jail guard, Joel Cabrera, surrendered to his superior officer, Senior Inspector Greg Sibog, warden of the City’s detention center located in Barangay Nagpayong. – Mike Frialde and Non Alquitran