4 dead, 8 others wounded in Quezon road crash

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Four people died while eight others were injured after a dump truck hit 11 vehicles before plowing into three houses along Maharlika Highway in Barangay Isabang, Lucena City on Saturday.

According to police, the impact was so strong that it set at least five cars ablaze.

Truck driver William Busa was rushed to the Quezon Medical Center where he died during treatment.

Col. Romulo Albacea, Quezon police director, identified the three other fatalities as Sherwin dela Cruz and Roldan Hernandez, who both died at the scene while in a tricycle that was also hit by the speeding truck, and Mark Oliver who was found dead under the rubble of his collapsed house.

Albacea said rescuers pulled Oliver’s mother out of the rubble alive. She remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Lt. Col. Ryan Hernandez, acting Lucena city police chief, said the truck was traveling at high speed when it hit the vehicles at Bagong Lucena Welcome Circle in Purok Maulawin at 11:20 p.m.

Hernandez identified those injured as Maria Nelia Panuelas, 70, Jerimy Quidlat and Rosemarie Abrigo as well as family members Michelle, Almico, Almira, Almica and Almiro, all surnamed Revaula.

Rescuers rushed the eight injured residents to the Quezon Medical Center.

Hernandez said police as well as personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office worked together to conduct crowd control as well as the fire suppression and rescue efforts.

Police are investigating to determine whether reckless driving or mechanical failure caused the accident. — Ed Amoroso