by Danny J. Estacio
LIPA CITY, Batangas – Fourteen van passengers were injured while traversing Sunday morning along Star Tollway at kilometer 70+900 at Barangay Tubig.
The victims were Vicky Reyes, 39, secretary, and; Ryan Reyes, 42, government employee, both residents of Caparas Compound, San Miguel Avenue, Barangay San Miguel, Pasig City; Milleth Quimnton, 53, certified nursing aide, and resident of 4018 Allyson Rae Street, North Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.; Isabelle Alyssa Mortega, 25, research analyst at the Department of National Defense (DND), Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Ramel Brillantes, 24,developer, and resident of 4C J. Ponce Street, Project 4, Quezon City; Rochelle Acang, 28, single, accounting officer, and Abby Destua, 17,student, both residents of 205 E. Rodriguez Street Sr. Avenue, Quezon City;, and Aita Valdez, 28 of San Miguel, Pasig City; Michelle dela Cruz, 36,messenger, and Meagan Rafael dela Cruz, 1, both residents of Rodriguez St., Quezon City; Rosemarie Maneclang, 17, single, student; Charlotte Tejada, 3, Rachelle Irish Martinez, 22, and Nelson Alcantara, freelancer / tour guide, and resident of 6 Rosal Street, Payatas A, Quezon City.
Initial reports received by the Provincial Tactical Operation Center (PTOC) that around 6:55 a.m. today, the Toyota Hi-Ace van, carrying the 14 passengers was traversing at the said expressway when driver Leonard Prince Orsolino lost control of the van and hit it in a concrete post and then collided into a trailer truck driven by Marcelo Francisco.
The van passengers got injured and 11 of them were rushed to Mary Mediatrix Center also in this city while three of them were sent to another hospital by responding police while the investigation is ongoing.