Truck hits 10 vehicles; 1 dead

CABANATUAN, Nueva Ecija, Philippines — A tricycle driver died while a motorcycle rider was injured when a pick-up truck hit 10 vehicles along Maharlika Highway in this city on Friday night.

Simplicio Tambongco Jr. was declared dead on arrival at the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, where motorcycle rider Alvin Asher Parial was also taken for treatment of injuries.

Investigation showed the truck, driven by alias “Harold,” was traveling between the villages of H. Concepcion and Sumacab Este when the vehicle hit Tambongco’s tricycle and Parial’s motorcycle at past 6 p.m.

Instead of pulling over, the truck sped away and hit eight other vehicles along the highway, according Col. Ferdinand Germino, Nueva Ecija police director.

Responding police officers pursued the truck, which crashed into a footbridge in Barangay Sumacab Este.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury and damage to property will be filed against the truck driver, police said.

Meanwhile, in South Cotabato, a 14-year-old student died while her two companions were injured in a motorcycle accident in Koronadal City.

The minor, identified only as Nicole, was declared dead on arrival in a nearby hospital where her companions were also taken for treatment of injuries, probers said.

Investigation showed the victims, who were on a motorcycle driven by Nicole, were traveling along an unpaved road in Barangay Assumption when they figured in the accident.