Silay Dump Truck Driver in Fatal Crash Released

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A 53-year-old dump truck driver involved in a crash that killed seven job order employees in Barangay Guimbalaon, Silay City, Negros Occidental, has been released from hospital arrest.

Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, chief of the Silay City Police Station, said the driver was discharged from Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital and is now recuperating at home.

Darroca said no victims’ families have signified intent to file charges against the driver at this time.

He added that a mechanical expert has inspected the government-owned truck involved in the crash, but the final report is still pending.

The Silay city government is also providing financial assistance to the victims.

The truck, carrying 24 passengers, had just come from a tree-planting activity on June 27 when its brakes reportedly failed, causing it to overturn and pin several passengers underneath.

Seven of the injured have been released from hospital care, while 10 others remain confined in various medical facilities, according to Darroca.

Arrangements for the interment of the seven fatalities are being finalized by their families.