5 killed, 18 hurt in SLEX accident

BIñan, Laguna — Five passengers of a jeepney were killed while 18 others were injured when the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a pine tree along the South Luzon Expressway here yesterday, police said.

Police identified three of the fatalities as Edgar Niala, 32; Mauricio Alvarez, 28; and Malou Palaores, 27. Two other passengers remain unidentified.

Witnesses said the driver fell asleep at around 2:30 p.m. and hit the tree near Barangay Mamplasan. — Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso