STO. TOMAS, Batangas – Seven of eight passengers died after the car they were riding in slammed head on a ten-wheeler truck Saturday night in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
Authorities from the Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) said the victims’ car, a Toyota Vios with plate number TBV 625 driven by Romeo Abarientos was cruising on the opposite lane of the President Jose P. Laurel Highway in Barangay San Roque around 9:45 p.m. when it smashed head-on into the truck.
Abarientos and his 10-year-old son were declared dead on the spot while the other passengers who eventually expired at the St. Cabrini Hospital in Sto. Tomas were identified as Cesar Almario, 16 years old, Paul Aldrin Geroy, 16, Gerald Dellomos, 22, Deniel Abarete, 16. Another fatality remains unidentified as of press time.
A 17-year-old victim, Aljay Torres was in critical condition in the same hospital.
The victims were on their way to Sto. Tomas proper coming from Tanauan City while the truck, a Mitsubishi Fuso, came from Calamba City on its way to Tanauan.
Meantime, the truck driver, 32-year-old Rodolfo Mandac, Jr. was unharmed after the deadly incident but is in the custody of the Sto. Tomas Police and is set to face cases of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide, serious physical injury and damage to property. (LYKA MANALO)