Navy truck loses brakes, hits eight cars

Six persons were hurt when a truck of the Philippine Navy lost its brakes and caused a smash-up on Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila early yesterday.

The injured, aside from the Navy personnel, were passengers of at least eight more vehicles, which were either sideswiped or bumped by the six-by-six military truck.

The truck, driven by First Cpl. Ronald Ortiz, was on its way to Sta. Mesa, Manila to pick up a dead body of a relative to be brought to Bauan, Batangas when the accident occurred, according to Malate police station chief Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo.

The truck was traveling at high speed at 2:30 a.m. when it lost its brakes and plowed through the vehicles ahead of it before landing on its side.

Operatives of the Malate police station, who were manning a checkpoint at the corner of P. Ocampo (formerly Vito Cruz) street and Roxas Boulevard, rushed the injured to the Ospital ng Maynila.

Those treated for injuries were Mark John Abeleda, 28; Caroline Bedenman, 38; Jefferson Nuñez, 28; Divina Tan, 33; and Wenceslao Tan, 39.

No one was in serious condition.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries and damage to property were filed against the Navy man.