GUMACA, Quezon – Five persons were killed while four others were seriously injured in a head-on collision on the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bamban here before dawn yesterday.
Police Patrolman Alejandro Beluz Jr., case officer, identified the fatalities as Jimmy Cordovez Bron, 42; Francisco Butardo, 40; Razel Bron, Emmanuel Junel Sagrit, and JM Bron.
Injured, on the other hand, were Fritcie Butardo, 14; Fatima Butardo, 20; Ulpiano Clores, 35, and Edna Butardo, who were all taken to the Gumaca District Hospital.
Investigation showed that an Isuzu truck driven by Gerome Melacura Villar, 40, of Tarlac City, was on its way to Manila when it collided with a Toyota Tamaraw FX Asian Utility Vehicle driven by Jimmy and with eight passengers on board.
Four persons on board the Tamaraw FX died on the spot while four others were seriously injured. Francisco died while on his way to the Gumaca District Hospital.
Villar was arrested by the Gumaca police.
He faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicides, injuries, and damage to property. (Danny Estacio)
UPDATED