MABALACAT CITY -- Four Kapampangans belonging to a motorcycle club died after a truck rammed into them along MacArthur Highway in Barangay San Isidro, Paniqui, Tarlac while on their way to the Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan.
The fatalities were identified as Marlou Lacap Mendoza, 22; Christian Sunglao, 16; Ronnel Gutierrez Hernandez, 32; and Anabelle Santos Canilao, all of Sitio Bitas, Barangay Batasan, Macabebe town, Pampanga.
Reports said that a 10-wheeler truck rammed into the four motorcycles the victims were riding around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18.
The co-riders -- Loverich Dumalag Dela Cruz, 27 of Barangay Tenejero, Candaba Pampanga; Analizabeth Lajom Hipolito, 27, of Barangay Tenejero, Candaba, Pampanga; Ernaldo Formento Fresnido, 27, of Valenzuela City and Raquel Villar Buama, 25, of Las Pinas City -- were seriously injured.
The eight victims were taken to the Rayos-Valentin Medical Hospital in Paniqui Tarlac but Mendoza, Sunglao, Hernandez, and Canilao did not make it alive.
Police is preparing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries against the truck driver, Andres Recto Bobis, 53, of San Pedro City, Laguna.
Initial investigation showed that the truck driver fell asleep for a few seconds while driving before ramming the Pampanga bikers.
Witnesses had described the accident as horrifying as the victims were dragged for several meters before the truck stopped.
The victims were wearing a vest bearing a logo of the San Nicolas Parish, Macabebe, Pampanga.