2 killed, 10 hurt in truck-van collision

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least two people were killed while 10 others, including two children, were injured when a van collided head-on with a 10-wheeler truck Wednesday afternoon along a highway, more than  50 kilometers east of Zamboanga City.

Senior Inspector Elvin Ramillano, Curuan Police Station chief, said investigation disclosed that the 10-wheeler truck driven by Jeremer Tutoy Tanilon, 33, was heading toward the city when it collided with the utility vehicle driven by Medardo Ramirez Jr., 29. The van, carrying 11 passengers, was reportedly negotiating a blind curve at Sitio Birada Calabasa, Barangay Buenavista, when it hit the truck.

The impact from the collision immediately killed one of the van passengers, identified as Romeo Acu, while the driver, Ramirez, expired hours later while undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Ramillano said 10 other passengers of the van, including children aged 2 and 5 years old, were brought to Zamboanga City Medical Center, a state-run hospital.

Ramillano said the driver of the truck voluntarily surrendered and is currently detained at the Curuan police station.