Jeepney plunges into ravine; driver killed

Camp Miguel Malvar, Batangas – A 31-year-old jeepney driver was killed, while four of his passengers were injured, when the vehicle he was driving plunged into a ravine in Taysan, Batangas yesterday morning.

Chief Inspector Von Nicasio, Batangas City Fire Department deputy chief, identified the fatality as Felomeno Maranan, a resident of Barangay Nato, Rosario, Batangas.

Those injured were identified as Michael Velasco and Froilan Caguimbal, who were rushed to the Mary Mediatrix Hospital in Lipa City, and Roallos and Gil Maniebo, who were brought to the Maderaso Hospital in Rosario, Batangas. 

According to initial reports, the passenger type jeepney, with license plates DXL-243, was cruising the provincial road in Barangay Piña when the driver lost control of the brakes and plunged into a 15-meter deep ravine at around 8 a.m.

Due to the strong impact, the jeepney which was loaded with gasoline containers exploded, trapping Maranan inside the driver’s seat.

Police investigators told The STAR  Maranan rented the jeepney to spray a mango plantation in Taysan town.  – Arnell Ozaeta