3 dead in La Union accident

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – Three persons died while 30 others were injured when a passenger jeepney lost its brakes and rolled over in Barangay Pias here yesterday morning.

The fatalities were identified as Helen Fernandez, Evangeline Pimentel and Laurence Mayo.

Fernandez was declared dead on arrival at the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center while Pimentel and Mayo died at the scene, city police chief Senior Inspector Cirilo Butigan said.

Some of the injured passengers were taken to the Bethany Hospital for treatment.

Butigan said the jeepney was allegedly overloaded and running at top speed when it figured in an accident along the village’s Horseshoe Road.

He said the vehicle could only accommodate 23 passengers, including the driver.

Jeepney owner and driver Eugene Marquez told probers that the brakes failed as they were traveling down a curve road. He denied allegations that the vehicle was overloaded.

Butigan said charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple injuries would be filed against Marquez.

Among the injured victims were Dominick Maglingay, Mecoy Vidal, Melody Vidal, Silvestre Cabading, Jenelyn Martinez, Fernando Tadao, Liezel Mangaoang, Teresita Mangaoang, Joven Bacani, Samuel Tangoay, Lorenza Munar, Sheba Mendoza, Angelo Arellano, Princess Madawi, Flora Graycochea, Marilou Rivera, Valeriano Sebastian, Jean Ragudo, Sebastian Valencia, Nancy Nisperos, Rowell Bacani, Genevieve Ragudo, Malmyra Argamaso, Jose Segundo, Synicole Graycochea, Lyra Bersamina, Cristilyn Garino and Michelle Munar.