Six hurt after van falls off bridge

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Six persons were injured after the van they were riding fell off a bridge in Anilao, Iloilo early morning of July 25, 2021.

Wounded were Jeffrey Puertes, 47, the van driver and his passengers Richard Florendo, 26; Christian Aranquez, 27; Bryan Cordero, 30; Adrian Bayotas, 37; and Herman Ticar, 37. All are residents of Barangay So-ol, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

Staff Sergeant Jonar Ortiz, Anilao PNP traffic investigator, said Puertes works for COMPASS Training Center, Inc. based in Iloilo City.

He used a company vehicle – Toyota Hi-Ace van – for a personal trip.

Puertes and his friend went to Banate town where they drank liquor.

Ortiz confirmed that all six were drunk when the incident happened. They were on their way home around 2:25 a.m. Sunday when the mishap occurred at Barangay Dangulaan.

“Puertes was not familiar of the road. He did not take the reroute road and disregarded a no entry sign,” Ortiz said.

He wasn’t supposed to take the road going to the bridge, as it was still under construction, Ortiz explained.

The van fell from the bridge and incurred major damages.

The driver and six passengers were rushed to Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital in Barotac Nuevo for treatment.