1 dead, 16 hurt as bus rams into houses

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – A 78-year-old man was killed while 16 others were seriously injured when a passenger bus turned turtle and rammed into shanties along Centennial Road in Kawit, Cavite, yesterday morning.

Police said June Magtawas, a resident of Barangay Marulas, was declared dead on arrival at the Kawit Kalayaan Hospital.

Those injured, including the driver of the Jethro bus, Ariel Guadalupe, were rushed to Divine Grace Hospital.

Police charged Guadalupe with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple serious physical injuries and damage to property.

Investigators said the Jethro bus with license plate DXR-121 overtook other buses and a motorcycle along Centennial Road, with the driver eventually losing control of the wheel, sending the vehicle smashing into the shanties.

Magtawas’ wife, Erlinda, told police she and her husband were sleeping in their room when they heard a loud noise and something plunging into their house at around 4 a.m.

Police said the 15 others injured were identified as Leonisa de Leon, Christina Biazon, Christopher de la Peña, Danilo Moscera, Kenneth Olverio, Jaime Castillo, Jeffrey Ubaldo, Jomer Punongbayan, Isagani Patul, Leah Demetria, Emmanuel Espiritu, Nicanor Francisco, Jeffrey Rodoro, Enrico Palwis, and Leilan Pascua.

Most of them were immediately released after being treated.