8 hurt in 4-car Quezon City smashup

MANILA, Philippines – At least eight persons were taken to the hospital after figuring in a four-vehicle collision along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City yesterday.

Traffic officials said the eight suffered only minor abrasions and bruises and were immediately released after treatment.

The vehicles involved in the smashup include an Isuzu Forward dropside truck (WCE-623) driven by Len Oracion, 36; a passenger jeep (TXY-545) driven by Rene Arcega, 30; a Mitsubishi Galant (LMC-999) driven by Sonny Raymundo and a tricycle (UX-5076) driven by Morris Vistro, 28.

Traffic field investigator Vic Marasigan told The STAR the accident happened at around 2 p.m. in front of the Cherry Foodarama along Congressional Avenue.

The officer said all the vehicles involved were traveling towards Mindanao Avenue.

Initial investigation showed the truck apparently lost its brakes and rear-ended the passenger jeepney and hit the sedan as Oracion maneuvered to the left after hitting the jeepney. The jeepney then hit the tricycle with three passengers on board.

Marasigan said four of the still unnamed passengers were taken to the Quezon City General Hospital while the three others were taken to the East Avenue Medical Center.

He said no one among the injured filed a formal complaint. The truck was taken to the impounding area of an accredited towing company in North Fairview. Other motorists drove their respective vehicles home after giving their statements to the investigators.