3 die, 17 hurt in highway mishap

CAMP OLIVAS -- Three persons died while 17 others were injured when their vehicle hit the slope of a culvert along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Barangay Suclaban, Mexico town Friday night.

In his report, Superintendent Ryan David, chief of police of Mexico, said three of the passengers of a Toyota Hi-Ace van (SKE-112) identified as Neila Bacugan, Fidela Robinson and Diosdado Basuel didn’t reach Jose B. Lingad (JBL) Memorial General Hospital alive.

The injured passengers, meanwhile, were rushed to the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center in Angeles City, Mexico Community Hospital in Mexico town and JBL were identified as Barangay councilman Romeo Rivera, 38; Romeo Palalon, 44; Mark Anthony Rivera, 11; Ronaldo Geogano, 33; Roberto Andaya, 38; Vicente Ignacio, 68; Teresita Corpuz, 67; Conrado Sabrani, 64; Lorenza Manuel, 77; Chyntia Bungares, 44; Mile Baswelt; Vangie Bacalzo, 69; Felesitas Lota, 77; Eleoteria Agustin, 68; Betty Laude; Florentina Lucasan, 65; and Manolita Bascuel, all of Caloocan City.

According to reports, driver Palalon lost control of the steering wheel while travelling along NLEx heading south, and accidentally hit the slope of a culvert and overturned. It then hit a tree on the right embankment of the road until it rested right side down facing north.

The van was registered to Barangay Bagombong, Caloocan City, the report said.

David said the van was taken to the Pulilan Storage facility in Pulilan, Bulacan.

The driver was invited to the Mexico Police Station for questioning and charges are being readied against him. (Ric Sapnu)