Three killed in Negros Occidental road crashes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Three persons, including a couple, were killed and 11 others were injured in separate road accidents in Negros Occidental on April 9 and 10.

In San Carlos City, a barangay health aide died and nine others were injured after a delivery van reportedly collided with a truck in Sitio Punod, Barangay Rizal on Friday morning.

Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, chief of San Carlos City Police Station, said the delivery van loaded with meat patties from Bacolod City was driven by a 49-year-old man, accompanied by his 39-year-old helper.

The truck, owned by Barangay Quezon, was driven by a 35-year-old man carrying nine passengers who are city and barangay health employees en route to a bloodletting activity.

Canja said the van driver allegedly lost control when the brakes malfunctioned, causing him to encroach on the opposite lane while traveling on a curved road.

The barangay health aide died on the spot due to a severe head injury, and four other passengers are recuperating in a hospital.

The van driver is also still confined in a hospital, while others sustained minor injuries and were treated as outpatients.

Prior to the accident, the van driver had been trying to fix the brakes on his own, based on the helper’s statement. But since the vehicle was not thoroughly repaired, the brakes malfunctioned again, causing both vehicles to fall on their sides due to the impact.

Canja said Barangay Quezon officials will press charges against the van driver and have also encouraged other victims to file separate and additional charges.

Meanwhile, a couple lost their lives in a motorcycle accident in Purok 4, Barangay Cubay, La Carlota City on Thursday night.

The victims, aged 27 and 29, were residents of Barangay III (Poblacion).

The man worked as a fast-food service crew member, while the woman was a sales representative.

According to Police Lt. Col. Eduardo Corpuz, chief of La Carlota City Police Station, the incident was reported late to authorities.

Police only confirmed the crash after coordinating with the hospital.

An investigation revealed that the husband had been drinking before heading home with his wife.

While passing through Barangay Cubay, he reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, which swerved and struck a gutter, throwing both riders off.

The husband sustained a fatal head injury and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. His wife later succumbed to her injuries.

Police believe the driver may have fallen asleep due to alcohol consumption, contributing to the crash.