Truck-Trike Crash in Kabankalan Kills One, Injures Six

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A 51-year-old woman died and six others were injured after a hauler truck loaded with sugarcane collided with a tricycle in Purok Tuburan, Barangay Tampalon, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday night.

Police identified the fatality as “Jinky,” a resident of the barangay and one of two passengers on the tricycle.

Injured were an 11-year-old male tricycle passenger; “Armando,” 60, the tricycle driver; “Jestoni,” 31, a motorcycle rider; all from Barangay Tampalon; and “Eljohn,” 18, the truck driver, along with his two helpers—“Ralph,” 20, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Barangay Magballo.

Police Capt. Sammy Gasataya, deputy chief of Kabankalan City Police Station, said the hauler truck reportedly experienced brake failure while approaching a curve heading toward the city proper at around 7 p.m.

The truck veered into the opposite lane and collided with the tricycle before tipping onto its side.

Gasataya said the tricycle driver and his passengers were thrown off the vehicle upon impact.

Jestoni, who was trailing the tricycle on a motorcycle, fell after losing control while trying to avoid the crash site.

Jestoni and the tricycle passengers were reportedly on their way home at the time of the accident.

Gasataya said Jinky died in the hospital shortly after receiving first aid, while the 11-year-old boy remains under medical observation.

The 17-year-old truck helper and Jestoni were discharged after treatment for minor injuries.

The other injured individuals are in stable condition and recovering in the hospital.

Gasataya said the truck owner has initially offered to provide burial assistance to Jinky’s family and medical aid to those hospitalized.

Meanwhile, in Himamaylan City, a 24-year-old criminology graduate was killed and his 24-year-old female companion injured when their motorcycle collided with a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Barangay Aguisan on Saturday morning.

The fatality was identified as “Jether,” a resident of Barangay Aguisan.

The injured woman was identified as “Khaye,” also of the same barangay.

Police said Jether was turning left when his motorcycle collided with an oncoming SUV driven by a 52-year-old farmer from Iloilo City.

Jether sustained head injuries and was declared dead at a hospital, while Khaye suffered minor injuries.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, chief of Himamaylan City Police Station, said the SUV driver and the victims’ families have reached an initial settlement.