CEBU, Philippines - One person was killed while eleven others were injured in a collision between a multicab and a minibus in Barangay South Poblacion, City of Naga, around 4 p.m. yesterday.
All of those injured were passengers of the multicab driven by Jerry Quilaton. The victims came from Barangay Casay, Dalaguete town, and were heading to an advance birthday celebration of the town’s priest in Cebu City when their multicab collided with the south-bound passenger minibus driven by Edgar Lapis, 33, of Perelos Carcar City.
PO2 Gilmer Noval said the multicab reportedly swerved towards the opposite lane and collided with the minibus head-on.
“Kaning pasaheroan nga para Sibonga gikan syudad loaded og pasahero, kaning multicab gikan ni sa Casay, Dalaguete, padulong sa syudad, mi-swerve sa pikas lane unya nabanggaan sa minibus,” Noval said.
Aside from the multicab driver, Noval identified those who were injured as Rejie Lou Tambuli, 16; Russel Anova, 16; Persillana Juagpao; Catherine Quilaton, 18; Aurora Tesorio, 56; Owen Tesorio, 18; Niodas Quilaton, 56; Emily Caballero, 46; and Gilbert Rosasina, 15.
All of them were rushed to the South General Hospital.
The fatality was identified Charlotte Mirafuentes, 16.
“Naa na gyud siya sa opposite lane, gitabang namo ang mga pasahero kami man gyu’y first responder ana,” Noval said.
Noval said Mirafuentes was still fighting for her life when they left the hospital. However she hours later, according to PO1 Jeanperl Mag-aso.
It was not clear what prompted the multicab driver to swerve to the opposite lane. Noval said there were reports that the driver tried to overtake another vehicle but there were also other reports that he tried to avoid a pedestrian.
The minibus driver, however, is now under police custody. Noval said Lapis will face criminal complaints for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple physical injuries. — /FPL (FREEMAN)