3 dead, 4 hurt in Quezon City road mishap

MANILA, Philippines - Three persons were killed and four others were injured when a sport utility vehicle crashed into the gates of Barangay Commonwealth’s hall in Quezon City before dawn yesterday.

Mark Eleazar Lepana, 24, a student and resident of East Fairview, was reportedly driving home along Commonwealth Avenue’s northbound lane when an unidentified pedestrian – other reports state he was a taho vendor – suddenly crossed the street at past 2 a.m. Lepana swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrian, losing control of his Mitsubishi Montero Sport (TZI-993) in the process, Police Officer 2 Alfredo Moises said.  

The vehicle plowed into vendor Liza Romero, 60, who was selling balut on the sidewalk to Jeffrey Flores, 22, a cook; and Juliet Abe Montefalco, 20, a call center agent. It also hit bystanders Kimberly Mangarin, 26; and Rogelio Dario Sabilege, 27, a tricycle driver.

Romero, Flores and Montefalco were killed while Lepana, Mangarin, Sabilege and Felipe Robi, 18, one of Lepana’s three passengers, were hurt.

Those injured were treated at the East Avenue Medical Center but Lepana was later transferred to the St. Luke’s Medical Center, where he was reported to be in critical condition.

Moises, who is in charge of the case, said Lepana faces charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries, and damage to property.