By Villamor Visaya Jr.
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela-Eight people were confirmed dead and one is in coma after a three-car smashup along the national road in Barangay San Pedro-San Pablo, Aurora, Isabela at about 2:45 in the morning on July 19, police said.
Police Colonel Allen Lee Bauding, Isabela police provincial director, said the smashup involved a six-wheeler truck (CBA-4017) and two passenger vans.
Probers said the truck driver was October De Leon of Echague town while the two Hi-ace vans were driven by Ron Ron Onalan and Oseas Calderon, respectively.
Calderon was among those declared dead on arrival at the Cabatuan Family Medical Hospital.
Also declared dead on arrival at hospitals in Cabatuan and Roxas towns were Niches Heizle Cagayongan, Claribel Maling, Jing Romboa, and four unidentified people, all of Turod Bulog village in Tabuk City, Kalinga, all van passengers driven by Calderon.
Two others were injured and one has been in coma at the van driven by Onalan.
Investigators said the truck was going south when it encroached into the opposite lane and slammed onto the van with 16 passengers driven by Onalan.
The other van with 9 passengers driven by Calderon, which was tailing the van of Onalan, slammed onto the other car due to the sudden stoppage.
A follow-up probe is ongoing.#
