Two more car passengers in Pototan road mishap die

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two more passengers of a car that figured in a collision in Pototan, Iloilo died while under treatment in a hospital in Iloilo City.

They were identified as Joemarie Sumbo and Joseph Garcera, both 31 years old and residents of Barangay Lumbo, Pototan.

They died at Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center.

Staff Sergeant Richard Cabucos, Pototan PNP traffic investigator, said Garcera died around 1:00 p.m. Monday while Sumbo passed away at 11 p.m.

The two had been unconscious after the Toyota Vios sedan they were riding collided with a delivery truck at around 7:00 a.m. of Monday at Barangay Cahaguikican, Pototan.

This brought the fatalities to three.

Their fellow passenger, 19-year-old Andrian Jay Solania reportedly died on the scene.

The driver, Dan Justin Pastolero, 24, of Barangay Talibong Pequeño, Mina, Iloilo, was the only survivor from the sedan.

Cabucos said Pastolero admitted that he fell asleep and swerved to the opposite lane.

Cabucos said they have yet to confirm if the driver was drunk when the accident happened.

The four came from Iloilo City and were on their way to Barangay Lumbo when the incident happened.

Truck driver Rey de Pedro, 40, of Barangay Lalab, Batan, Aklan was with two companions when the road incident happened.

The truck, which was loaded with bottles, came from Kalibo, Aklan and was on its way to Iloilo City when the collision occurred.

De Pedro was placed under police custody for further investigation.