Jeepney rolls downhill, kills 2, hurts four

A laborer and his three-year-old son were killed, while his wife and other son, and two neighbors, were seriously injured when a passenger jeepney lost its brakes and crashed into them the other day in Caloocan City.

The victims, identified as Carlo Niebre, and his son Marvin, of 5609 Pili St., Sto. Nino, Camarin, suffered broken bones and were pronounced dead on arrival at the Tala General Hospital.

Carlo’s wife Margarita, 37, their younger son Michael, 1, their neighbors Evelyn Serrano, 37, and her son Edrie, 8, also sustained bruises and other injuries, and are receiving medical treatment at the same hospital.

Suspect Luisito de Luna, a resident of 130 2nd Street, 9th Avenue, Grace Park, Caloocan, immediately surrendered to police and is now detained at the city jail.

According to reports, the accident took place at about 11:30 a.m. just outside of the Niebres’ house on Pili Street.

Superintendent Carlos Ronquillo, chief of the Traffic Enforcement Unit, said the victims were standing outside their house enjoying the Sto. Niño feast day when the jeep hit them.

Ronquillo said the vehicle, driven by De Luna, was moving up an ascending road when a tricycle crossed its path, prompting De Luna to step on the brakes.

But the jeep’s engine suddenly went off and it started to move backward. De Luna panicked and tried to re-start the vehicle, but the steep slope pulled the jeep downhill, which crashed into the victims.

Ronquillo, however, is puzzled why the driver could not do anything to stop his vehicle. He is conducting follow-up investigations.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in double homicide and multiple physical injuries were filed yesterday against the suspect. – Matthew Estabillo