Ten hurt as van rams into store while evading LTO checkpoint

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Ten persons were injured after the passenger van they were riding crashed into a sari-sari store morning of Dec 7, 2020 in Belison, Antique.

The incident happened after a Toyota Grandia allegedly tried to evade a checkpoint set up by personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at Barangay Maradiona around 6:25 am Monday.

The van was driven by Regie Antonio, 29, of Poblacion, Barbaza, Antique. He was also injured in the mishap.

The nine injured passengers were Arfie Ledesma, 29, of Hamtic, Antique; Espocia Alvarez, 67, of Patria, Pandan; Evelyn Remo, 56, of Barangay Jinalinan, Barbaza; Raymart Alolod, 27, of Barangay Sta. Ana, Tibiao; Lanelyn Delicana, 54, of Culasi town; Mark Anthony Benzon, 20, of Barbaza; Gracia Grace Fillalin, 23, of Culasi; Kareyl Joy Soverano, 38, of Poblacion, Tibiao; and Norlito Soverano, 48, of Tibiao.

The victims were taken to Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital in San Jose for treatment.

An LTO personnel informed the Belison police of the incident.

Police investigation indicated that the van came from northern Antique going to San Jose town when Antonio, upon seeing the LTO checkpoint at Barangay Maradiona, suddenly turned towards Buenavista village.

But he lost control of the vehicle and plowed into a roadside sari-said store.

Investigation is still ongoing to determine Antonio’s possible culpability.