4 hurt in TCH road crash

CEBU, Philippines — Four people were injured after their vehicle reportedly lost its brakes while traversing Transcentral Highway (TCH), Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban Cebu, last Saturday afternoon, August 3, 2024.

The driver was identified as Louie Jay Abadia, 26, a resident of Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

Abadia's three passengers include Arturo Oyao Jr., 32, and Rothel Estrada Tarruza,31, both from Barangay Looc, and Christel Marie Godinez, 26, from Barangay Agos, all in Lapu-Lapu City.

According to the traffic investigators of Balamban Police Station, while the four were on board the vehicle travelling the downhill road of Brgy Cansomoroy, Abadia experienced a brake malfunction and eventually lost control of the steering wheel.

As he tried to maneuver the vehicle to prevent it from falling over the cliff, it rolled twice towards the opposite lane and crashed into the concrete canal.

Due to the incident, Godinez suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). The other three passengers sustained minor injuries.

In a phone interview, Police Lieutenant Colonel Julius Garcia, chief of Balamban Police Station, told The Freeman that the area in Barangay Cansomoroy is a steep downhill highway that extends to about 10 kilometers, making it a highly accident prone area.

Garcia also disclosed that it was the first time Abadia had driven in the area and may have lacked the experience needed to navigate the steep downhill section of the highway.

With this, Garcia asks drivers to be extra cautious when passing through the area, or find someone experienced in driving along the TCH.

 Akong ipaabot diha sa molabay sa TCH kung first time pamo mo try sa TCH going to Balamban unya moagi mo og Cansomoroy, mas maayo nalang siguro nga mangita nalang jud og experienced driver, kanang sige nag agi diha na lugara,  said Garcia.

On the other hand, Garcia said that from May to July, the number of vehicular accidents in the area have decreased due to interventions by traffic units, including increased checkpoints and regular weekend patrols or  rekurida .

Garcia also noted the slope protection project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Land Transportation Office's (LTO) efforts on refurbished yellow lines and additional signages.