EIGHT people, including three children, were injured when the vehicle they were riding crashed into tree at the side of the highway in Mangusu village, Zamboanga City, the police reported Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Sitio Mulawin in Mangusu village.
Police Colonel Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office director, identified the victims as Isagani Gumahad, 43, the driver; Ruben Tulabing, 37; Anna Marie Tulabing; 44; James Bryan Marquez, 14; Arjolyn Marquez, 38; Jhon Philip Marquez, 13; Juan Miguel Marquez, 12; and, Lumeriano Marquez, 47.
Lorenzo said investigation showed that prior to the accident, the victims were aboard a pick-up truck traveling to downtown Zamboanga City coming from Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
The vehicle crushed on a tree at the side of the road as the driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead on the mechanical brake pedal while traversing on a curve road.
As a result of the impact, the vehicle was damaged while the all the people aboard were injured and rushed to the Vitali Lying-in Hospital and later transferred to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for treatment. (SunStar Zamboanga)