SIX died, while four others were injured after a Baguio City-owned garbage truck rammed two other trucks in Bontiwey, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet early morning of June 8.
The Tuba Municipal Police Station said the garbage truck lost its brakes, bumped a lowland-bound dump truck it was tailing and then rammed into a concrete barrier.
The other dump truck then crossed the Baguio-bound lane and slammed into an incoming trailer truck.
Those who perished on impact were Belly Joe Lachica Collantes, Raymart Dela Rama, John Rex Hilario and Jonathan Frigillana Vargas, while Rustom Lachica Dela Rama and Mark Alvin Dela Rama Collantes expired on their way to the Baguio Genera Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
John Rex and Mark are both employees of Baguio City's General Services Office (GSO) while Belly Joe, Rustom and Reymart were waste collection volunteers.
The injured were rushed to the BGHMC for treatment who include Romeo Dela Raga Collantes, 21, Ernesto Lachica Collantes, 27, and Philip Lachica Dela Rosa, 28, who are likewise GSO waste collection volunteers; and Merson Aoay Manlastas, 42, the driver of the truck.
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) Traffic Management Unit reported 115 road crashes in the Summer Capital from mid-March to May 8 this year compared to 513 cases in the same period in 2019.
The crashes resulted in one casualty, and 10 cases of reckless imprudence resulting in physical injuries were filed in court. The lone fatality involved a motorcycle rider traversing Marcos Highway.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes.
The organization also identified the risk factors that need to be addressed to prevent road crashes. These are driving under the influence of alcohol and other psychoactive substances, speeding, non-use of motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints, distracted driving, unsafe road infrastructure and unsafe vehicles. (With a report from Jonathan Llanes)