By JERRY J. ALCAYDE
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – One person was killed while 22 others were injured when a speeding van hit a parked jeepney in Bansud here, Friday morning.
Senior Superintendent Christopher C. Birung, provincial director of the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO) identified the fatality as Emiliana K. Griego, 74, a resident of Barangay Paclasan, Roxas.
Birung said Griego was occupying the front seat of the ill-fated van right beside her daughter Esperanza Advincula King, 56, when it hit the jeepney, which was parked at the shoulder of the road due to a flat tire.
Police found out the driver of the northbound van, Jayson O. Mercado, 39, fell asleep while driving, resulting in the collision.
Griego died on the spot while King and the rest of the injured occupants of the van, including a Marlo A. Fabella, 47; Noemi Mendoza, 50; Lynnebel Mendroz, 36; Rachele C. Casa, 50; Dwayne Casa, 9; Jacques Casa, 9; Madison Chloe C. Casa, 7; Shadete Grace F. Gatello, 25; Ruben C. Castillo, 64; Corazon S. Castillo, 67; Neneth C. Cabilugan, 50; Al Madera, 38; and Maria Joanna Jane O. Pantoja, 25; were brought to the Pinamalayan Community Hospital, the Ma. Estrella General Hospital and the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Calapan City, as with the injured passengers of the jeepney identified as Isidro M. Galicha, 48; Edwin I. Maamo, 33; Roden A. Venus, 39; Sofronio De los Santos, 39; and Jayvee G. Canton, 23.