Van Driver ‘Kills’ Two Riders in Escape Attempt

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A van driver involved in a road crash caused another fatal collision while allegedly fleeing the scene on the evening of January 19 in Zarraga, Iloilo.

Jerry Gonzales, 53, of Ledesma Street, Pototan, Iloilo, was driving a Foton passenger van when it collided with a Honda Click motorcycle on a dimly lit portion of Barangay Tubigan, Zarraga.

The crash claimed the lives of Mary Grace Mandate, 30, of Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and Mara Cordova, 31, of Barangay Poblacion, Bago City, Negros Occidental.

The two women were rushed to Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Dumangas but were pronounced dead shortly after.

Mandate, a call center agent, was driving the Honda Click, while Cordova was her passenger. They were traveling from Negros Occidental via Dumangas and were on their way to Iloilo City when the incident occurred.

Zarraga police chief Captain Dandy Ilalto confirmed that both riders were wearing protective helmets, but the collision inflicted severe injuries on various parts of their bodies.

Authorities revealed that Gonzales was allegedly fleeing from two motorcycles pursuing him after an earlier crash.

Reports from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Traffic Enforcement Unit indicated that Gonzales’ van had earlier plowed into a roadside house at Zone 1, Metropolis Avenue, Metropolis Subdivision in Barangay Tagbac, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The van scaled a gutter and crashed into a house made of light materials. Fortunately, the family was in the dining area, sparing them from injuries as the living room bore the brunt of the impact.

The house owner estimated the damage at PHP 70,000. Initial talks of settlement between Gonzales and the homeowner have reportedly begun.

After fleeing the first incident, Gonzales was pursued by two motorcycles, leading to the second collision in Zarraga.

Following the fatal crash, Gonzales surrendered to the Leganes Municipal Police Station. He claimed that the motorcycle he collided with was speeding and had encroached on the opposite lane, causing the mishap.

Gonzales also insisted he was not under the influence of alcohol or drowsy during both incidents. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.