Truck helper dies in NLEX mishap

MANILA, Philippines - A truck helper was killed while his driver was seriously injured when their dump truck slammed into a concrete wall along the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Valenzuela yesterday morning.

Hospicio Arrisgado, 26, who was in the front passenger seat, was crushed while driver Marcial Santiago, 37, was still confined yesterday at the Montefalco Hospital in Meycauayan, Bulacan due to multiple body and head injuries.

Police Officer 3 Albert Verano said Santiago was driving the truck (ZDL-857) at high speed in Barangay Lawang Bato when he lost control while trying to avoid a red sedan whose driver reportedly overtook them from the right at around 4 a.m.

The northbound truck twisted to the right side of the highway, smashing the concrete barriers before turning on its side and pinning Arrisgado.

It took about an hour for rescuers to get Arrisgado out of the wreck.

The accident resulted in a logjam on the northbound lane for about two hours.